Footloose the Musical

The energy and enthusiasm exuded by the cast was on display from the opening bars of “Footloose” performed by the ensemble right the way through to the closing bars of the rip-roaring Megamix which had the full house audience clapping and swaying along. Melanie Slater’s direction did not however fail to bring out the more serious subject matter of the inner conflicts of the principal characters - particularly those of teenager Ren struggling to cope with being abandoned by his father and those of Reverend Shaw coping with the death of his teenage son – and the scene when these two characters, who had been in conflict throughout, suddenly realise they have more in common was sensitively handled. Einar Towrie, in the lead role of displaced teenager Ren McCormack, had strong stage presence as well as a good singing voice and excellent dance skills as shown in the “Footloose” and “I Can’t Stand Still” numbers. Savannah Sutherland, as rebellious preacher’s daughter Ariel Moore and Ren’s love interest, too had good acting skills and her singing voice was shown to it’s best in the contrasting numbers “Holding Out For A Hero” with her three girl friends and the love duet “Almost Paradise” with Ren. Much of the humour in the piece was provided by Rajmund Olah as Ren’s hill-billy friend Willard Hewitt and his will-they-won’t-they relationship with Ariel’s friend Rusty played by Vanessa Tomu. Willard’s rendition of “Mama Says” was hilarious and Rusty’s rendition of “Let’s Hear It For The Boy” was superb. Alex Rodwell, as Ariel’s father Reverend Shaw Moore, gave a strong performance portraying the struggles of a father coming to terms with the death of his son and being over protective of Ariel. Strong performances too were given by the two actors playing the ever supportive mothers – Lesley Bews as Ethel McCormack and Kirsti Jones as Vi Moore – their rendition of the lament “Learning To Be Silent” with Ariel was very powerful. Strong support was given by Polly Gray and Laura Henderson (Ariel’s friends Wendy Jo and Urleen), Audun Towrie (bad boy Chuck Cranston) and Graham Macdonald (Principal Harry Clark/Cowboy Bob). The ensemble singing was good throughout and movement well executed - including the roller skating in the diner scene! Good use was made of the simple multi-level set especially in the Country Western Dance Hall scene at the opening of Act 2. Thank you KAOS for bringing the warmth of West Virginia to a wild and windy Kirkwall.

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