Since Kevin Bacon’s too-cool-for-school teen, Ren McMcormack, danced his way into Bauemont - a small rural town in backwater America - the iconic 80s character has been unable to hang up his boots.
Based around a true story, the teeanger relocates to a town where dancing is banned following a tragic accident. Despite students in McCormack’s new school accepting the laws that had been inflicted upon them, Ren challenges these decisions with toe-tapping finesse.
The 2011 Footloose Tour set the stage afire at the Liverpool Empire last night with a high-energy performance from the get-go. This is the first time I have seen the musical and after being thrilled by the opening lights panning the audience and the theme tune blasting, I knew I was going to enjoy what became the best two feel-good hours I have had in a long time!
Whilst I was not a massive fan of all of the songs (nor some of the cast singing them) – it was the show-stopping hits such as Deniece Williams’ Let’s Hear it For The Boy and Bonnie Tyler’s Holding Out For a Hero that kept the pace of the performance and seemed to be were the cast felt most comfortably placed.
The promotional campaign, rather unfairly, focuses heavily on Matt Willis (former Busted band member and winner of ITV’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!). As his first national theatre tour, I had the impression he would be leading the show and although he convincingly played the part of Chuck, the demands of his role were minimal in comparison to the rest of the cast.
Ironically, the male lead is relatively newcomer Max Milner, whom despite his modest credits has a unique and husky vocal quality that would rival a number of current chart-toppers. His performances in the slower numbers, such as his Almost Paradise duet with Ariel, was were he was able to showcase his range and despite unfortunately some of his vocals being lost in the more energetic dance routines, he is definitely a name to look out for in the future!
Also giving strong performances were Giovanni Spano, who played the naïve Willard who provides the shows humour, Rusty, who’s incredible vocals soared through the audience in Let’s Hear It For The Boy, and Urleen, who unassumingly delighted the audience with her soulful tones throughout the show.
Taking Karen Bruce’s emphatic choreography and performing it with punch and passion, the company did a great job in keeping the audience’s attention. With more pelvic thrusts that you can shake a stick at, the scorching dance routines in the ensemble pieces work brilliantly alongside the chorus vocals and provide a spectacular feast for the eyes and ears.
Although I wasn’t convinced throughout the whole performance by the sincerity of the intended heart-wrenching moments, the performance was a real thrill to watch and definitely left me wanting to practice my Heel Switches and Sailor Steps!
Chock-a-block with electrifying dance routines - Footloose is guaranteed to get your feet tapping. And whilst Ren proves dancing is no crime, to miss the Empire this week would be! Review By Luke Trevaskis
Review By Luke Trevaskis