Footloose

HM&DS’s performance of the musical Footloose by Dean Pitchford and Tom Snow was a very entertaining night of theatre. Based on the 1984 movie of the same name, the musical includes all the catchy tunes from the film like “Lets Here it for the Boy” and “Footloose”, while other new songs written for the musical like “Mama Says” and “Heaven Help Me” are also great fun additions to the already brilliant score.

The script involves the lead role of Ren McCormack (Sam Holmes) and his mother, Ethel (Alana McDonald) arriving in new town of Bomont, to live with relatives. From the beginning Ren clashes with local Reverend Moore (Stephen Wheatley) providing an on going growth in both characters through the show. Ren forms a friendship with local hic Willard (James Carter) and later the beginnings of a new relationship with Rev Moore’s daughter, the rebellious Ariel (Amy Newcombe). The other main theme of the show is dealing with loss, after a car accident killing 4 young teens before the show begins. This has led to the local council banning all dancing in the town. The story then plays out with Ren and other local kids trying to get this law abolished.

Footloose is a musical that relies heavily on the choreography and vocals from cast and Laurie Tancred and Natalya Aynsley in thir roles of Choreographer and Musical Director did a good job with both elements. The choreography in numbers like the opening number “Footloose” and “Mama Says” was fast paced and effective. The opening number did feel a little low on energy from the cast, although this picked up during the show. Vocally most numbers were quite strong especially by Stephen Wheatley in “Heaven Help Me” and Maryanne Coughlan as the Reverend’s wife Vi, when she sang “Can You Find it in Your Heart”, which really made you feel for her and the pressures she had been under.

The two young leads, Sam Holmes and Amy Newcombe, had good chemistry. Both had great stage presence and moved really well in the choreography. They did lack some of the harmonies needed in “Almost Paradise”, but it didn’t ruin the number by any means. Comedy seemed to flood through the veins of James Carter’s Willard Hewitt, who used his body and face effectively. A few times he pushed the joke to far, but overall he was very strong. Another stand out for me was Vanessa Agius as Wendy Jo. Even though she only had brief solo parts in songs, she stood out and was vocally brilliant. Her acting and delivery of lines was spot on and she was one of the stronger dancers in the show.

First-time director Paul Jenkins has staged a very entertaining, memorable version of the show. Stage design wise, I feel he could have utilised the theatre better and cut off areas that could have given cast more room. The lighting and sound weren’t the best for the performance I saw and I hope for the cast’s sake this gets better during the season.

If you looking for an entertaining night of toe tapping fun and reminiscing of this 80s classic get along to the Red Gum Theatre.

James Russell

Photographer: Jenny Bryant