“Footloose” by Centre Stage Theatre Arts
Derby Theatre

Imagine living in a town that has banned dancing and you’re a teenager. Following a tragic accident, dancing has been outlawed in the town of Bolmont in the USA by Reverand Shaw Moore. Ren McCormack, who has just moved to Bolmont with his mom, feels like a stranger in an even stranger world, and some of the kids, and adults of Bomont make his move to his new home difficult, making him feel unwelcome. But Ren enjoys a good dance, but can he get the kids on his side and change the law laid down by Reverand Moore?

Marcus King (Ren) shows that he sure can shake off those Sunday shoes, in fact any day of the week shoes with his moves. He can sing, he can dance, he can act, and he can carry an accent as well. What can't this young man do?

Natasha Neale (Ariel), plays the Reverand's daughter who likes the bad guys and loves to rebel, but she is torn between being a teenager and the love for her dad. A cracking voice on this young lady.

Ariel's bessie mates, Rusty, Urleen and Wendy-Jo are played by Hannah Riley, Holly Burchell and Harriet Blackwell, and a lovely harmony trio they make, and when Hannah hits that high note in "Let's Hear It For The Boy", the hairs on my arm stood right up as if to give her a standing ovation. All three have great voices, and are fun to watch.

I'm surprised that Dan Evans (Chuck) didn't receive a few boos the way Chuck treated poor Ariel. By the way, this was Ariel's boyfriend, before Ren turned up. There were a few gasps from the audience after his comments about Ariel's friends in The Burger Blast. Shows what a talented character actor Dan is to make the audience buy into his character. I have been told that Dan is a nice guy away from his character.

Ella Slater (Coach Dunbar) stamped her authority on this role and made Ren, and his school mates' lives not an easy ride, especially by punishing the whole class for something that Ren hadn't done, just to make a point. A lovely piece of character acting.

Charlotte Crane (Ethel) is Ren's Mum, and she looks the part. Mature and sensible and also blessed with a lovely voice.

Nicole Lamont (Vi) Ariel's Mother and Shaw Moore's wife also got the hairs on my arm up when she sang the gorgeous and emotional "Can You Find It In Your Heart". She has a lovely control and tone to her voice, and when that voice matures, boy is she going to blow people away!

Isaac Levitt (Shaw) really stood out in this production for me. He has a very mature presence on stage and his voice, expression and stage presence just shone through, and what really knocked me back was that I discovered after the show that he is only 15 years old. Like Nicole, when he gets older, his talent will take him to some brilliant places in theatre.

And so to one of my favourite performers of the evening, Ben Hale (Willard). This young man is another who will go far in local theatre. A singer, wonderful character actor, comedian, he can bust a move or two as well, and I loved the consistency in his accent. He is fun to watch, and I have seen some actors, older than him, who have made this character a bit of a bumpkin, but Ben managed to get Willard, just right for me.

A talented and large ensemble - 48 members in fact - who filled the stage with energy.

Produced by Lucy Cadney and Directed by Kyle Lamley with help from Lucy, this ran very smoothly, and I must mention the scene movers who also worked extremely well to get these sets and scenes removed and set back up.A success for the stage management.

Apart from a few minor teething issues with some of the actors not being heard, could be they weren't mic'd up, who knows, the sound was spot on and well balanced, thanks to Dave Dallard.

Chris Grantham made the show a colourful affair with the lighting design.

This show is all about the dancing and the mammoth task of choreography was down to Natalie Bethel and Sophie Shapcott. Jive kicks were sharp and the line dancing was great fun as well as all of the other moves these two gave the cast to perform. The energy in these dances could have lit the theatre up if plugged into the National Grid.

The soundtrack features some great songs like “Let’s Hear It For The Boy”, “The Girl Gets Around”, “Somebody’s Eyes”, the gorgeous “Almost Paradise”, “Holding Out For A Hero” and of course the boot scootin’ title track. Every one under the expert guidance of Musical Directors Nigel Taylor and James Bowden.

This show is fun, fun, fun all the way and if you do not leave that theatre dancing, there must be something wrong with you. Great energy and enthusiasm from every single one of this young cast who gave an incredibly mature performance all round.

Go see this show now because in ten years time you may be seeing some of these on professional tours, and you can have the pleasure of saying " I saw them in Footloose when they were young, and now look at them......"

And don't forget to buy a programme as well. A lovely glossy souvenir of the show, well set out and presented, and I've only just noticed someone else I know on page two! (What happened to the airbrushing??) Please don't let that put you off buying one.

“Footloose” by Centre Stage Theatre Arts is at Derby Theatre until Friday 28 June.