Footloose

USER (17Feb04): ‘Footloose’, The Hit Broadway Musical Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Monday 16 February 2004 Opening night, 1100 people in the audience and ‘wow’ this new musical had hit town. Based on the successful 1980s movie starring Kevin Bacon this brand new production of ‘Footloose’ has just embarked upon a long national tour with the option of a West End transfer. The story may be simple, teens overcome adult repression through the will to dance, and a clash with religion in small town USA but the energy of this fast-paced musical seen through the eyes of main character and new boy on the block Ren McCormack played by Chris Jarvis is fast paced with an urgency that demands your attention. There are plenty of musical numbers, from the opening ‘Footloose’ full of movement and a foretaste to the style of the show which majors heavily on dance, exploiting well the talents of its key players. The classic ‘Holding out for a Hero’, ‘Let’s Hear it for the Boy’ and ‘Almost Paradise’. There are additionally softer and more reflective numbers such as ‘Learning to be Silent’ and ‘Can You Find it in Your Heart’ both performed by the adults played with style by Marilyn Cutts (Vi Moore) a lady with a great musical theatre pedigree and the well known actor Oliver Tobias who is equally well cast as the blinkered Reverend Moore. As with all big production number musicals this is a team effort and led by its star the highly talented dancer Chris Jarvis who deserves great praise for his non-stop performance. It also includes some strong individual performances, Rachael Wooding as Reverend Moore's daughter Ariel and local rough guy Chuck played by Richard Taylor Woods who make the most of their secret and sizzling relationship by giving a stirring performance of’ The Girl Gets Around’. Taylor James is perfect as the slow-witted Willard, friend of Ren, who only comes to life once he gets the urge to dance and amazingly shows everyone just what he can do. Directed by Paul Kerryson and with choreography by Karen Bruce this is the kind of show that will no doubt achieve a huge following as it tours the UK well into the summer and I have a feeling that ‘full houses’ like tonight’s could become somewhat the norm. Clive Fuller