"Footloose" by The Melton Musical Theatre Company - TMMTC.

Melton Theatre.

Ren McCormack arrives in the small back water town of Bomont from the bustling city of Chicago with his mother, after Ren's father, Ethel's husband left them. Ren is in shock when he discovers the small Midwestern town he now calls home, has made dancing and rock music illegal. Ren and Ethel have been given a roof over their heads in Bomont by Wes and Lulu Warnicker. As he struggles to fit in, Ren faces an uphill battle to change things.

With the help of his new friend, Willard Hewitt, and defiant teen Ariel Moore, he just might loosen up this conservative town. But Ariel’s influential father, Reverend Shaw Moore, stands in the way. How can he change the mindset of the Reverend and the townsfolk?

If you’ve seen the stage version of this musical before, you’ll already know that the songs are as catchy as measles, “Let’s Hear It For The Boy”, “Footloose”, the gorgeous “Almost Paradise”, “Holding Out For A Hero”, “Somebody’s Eyes”, “Heaven Help Me” and the lyrically comical “Mama Says”. This song in particular extracted such a massive response from the audience and the choral harmonies at the end of the song were heavenly.

Ren is played by Harry Mason, who I last saw making his stage debut playing the role of Seymour in "Little Shop Of horrors" for Williams Creatives at the Sue Townsend Theatre in Leicester. As Ren we get to see a more choreographed Harry, after all Ren loves to dance so Harry had his dancing boots on tonight. I commented in my previous review of Harry just what a lovely voice he has for musical theatre, and that is seconded as Ren. One of my favourite scenes in this musical is the way that he manages to influence Rev Moore to change his mind about his ruling about the dance. There's a lovely feeling of breaking through with Rev Shaw Moore with Ren bringing a comparison between the two men that is thoroughly heartwarming. Also, watch out for Harry's roller skating talents in the Burger Bar!

Ethel, Ren's mother, is played by Rachael Wilson. This may not be the biggest role in the play but I love the way that this character sticks up for her son while trying to keep the peace with the family. The scene where she convinces her son to go back to Reverand Moore to talk to him about the dance is yet another heart warming section of this musical. There's such a lovely chemistry with Ethel and Ren in this Mother/Son relationship. It's also nice to see Rachael on stage as opposed to below stage in her alternative role as Musical Director.

Ariel is played by Megan Lowe, and having seen Megan in previous ensemble roles, it's so nice to see her take on a lead role, and do it so fabulously. Ariel is a spirited character and Megan brings that spirit to the stage. She has two relationships in this story, and both at opposite ends of the romantic scales. We also get to hear what a powerful set of vocals Megan has, as highlighted in songs like "Almost Paradise", the duet with Harry, and "Holding Out For A Hero", again both songs at opposing ends of the musical scale as well.

Reverand Shaw Moore is played by Peter Etherington. There's a sense of power with the Reverand, and that power is stilted, but Moore can't see this until Ariel, Vi Moore and Ren show him an alternative vision of the future, turning the power he has into a positive thing. Pete brings that quiet power to the table, but it's the fact that someone has come along to challenge the laws that Moore has set in place, and brings around a softer Reverand, a softer Father and a softer husband that is something that Pete has also brought to the stage, creating an all round better and fairer character for the story. The song "Heaven Help Me" shows off that wanting to be better, but nit's not the Lord who delivers that help.

Vi Moore, the Reverand's wife and Ariel's mother, is played by Georgie Bladon. Torn between being the loyal wife and her daughter, recalling what she was like as a teenager where boys were concerned. I loved the song "Learning To Be Silent" she performed with Ethel McCormack and Ariel, the harmonies with all three giving me the first tingles of the night. There's also another song that Georgie sings which also showcases what a gorgeous voice she has, called "Can You Find It In Your Heart".

Vikki Rose Taylor plays Rusty. Wonderfully spirited and an equally wonderful voice. Her rendition of "Let's Hear It For The Boy" was heaven sent and gave me tingles. Vikki's musical range is impressive, as is her ability to hold those longer unwavering notes with such power.

Willard is played by Harvey Latter. This character has always been one of my favourites in this show and his performance of this character is absolutely spot on. He won the audience over 100% with his dancing and his comedy skills, not to mention that brilliant version of "Mama Says". I've had the pleasure of seeing Harvey in many productions over the years and this performance really shows what a flexible actor he is and what a lovely comedy character actor Harvey is. Harvey is another local actor who makes his TMMTC debut.

Bill Mallon, who makes his TMMTC debut, plays the bullying boyfriend of Ariel, Chuck Cranston. This is the second time that Bill has played this role, but I get the feeling that Bill relishes playing the bad guy. I saw Bill playing Orin Scrivello in "Little Shop Of Horrors", and as Chuck gets to dish out even more physical violence. As Orin his vocals were comedy musical theatre; as Chuck, Bill gets to show us what an excellent rock vocalist he is, as well as the most swivelly of hips. The final bows bought the expected "boos", showing that his performance hit just the right spot with audience.

Coach Dunbar is played by Adam Keightley, who previously you may have seen performing Front Of House duties. Adam doesn't even have to say anything to bring a smile to the faces of this opening night audience, because Dunbar's costume does enough, but Adam does have a few classic funny lines in this musical. When not playing Dunbar, Adam is part of the Ensemble.

Eleanor Dunbar, the Coach's wife, is played by Charlotte Broomfield.

Lots of comedy provided by Ariel's friends Urleen, played by Anya Booth and Wendy Jo, played by Charlie Bartram, who also add more glamour to the production. Both Anya and Charlie make their TMMTC debut in the show.

Lyle is played by Delilah Schamp and Tash Bailey plays Travis. Two wonderfully comical characters who have some exclusive dance moves!

Cowboy Bob, who is the line dance singer at the Bar B Q Club where Ariel, Rusty, Ren and Willard sneak off to dance, is played by Andrew Hull. "Still Rockin'", the song Bob sings opens the second half of the show and will have your toes tappin' and your boots scootin'.

Sam Cartwright plays Wes Warnicker and Lulu Warnicker is played by Amy Beale. The Warnickers have the responsibility of housing Ren and Ethel, and also have to put up with the trouble that is caused by Ren's inclusion into the community.

Rachel Roberts plays Betty Blast, the owner of the Burger Bar where Ren gets a job waiting tables. Keep an eye out for one especially comical scene at the end of the scene where Chuck is dismissed by Betty from the diner.

Principal Clark, who is in charge of Ren's new High School, is played by Dean Williams. That wig for Clark is tremendous!

The Ensemble consists of Becky Woodcock, Cara Pett, Carole Bailey, Harriet Haynes, Judy Marshall, Leanne Thornton, Madison Westwater, Charlie Robinson, Melissa Wood, Ellie Gillespie, Emma Robinson, Connie Hamer, Rowan Meynell, Dean Williams and Emma Weston.

The Principal Dancers are Victoria Adams, Aimee Ringrose, Bea Dane, Bow Heaton, Delilah Schamp and Tash Bailey.

Directed by Jak Beasley, the pace of the show is measured perfectly and manages to bring out the best in all of these characters and their individual personalities.

Apprentice/Assistant Director is JoJo Helstrip, who makes her debut on the Production Team for TMMTC.

Musical Director is James Barlow. The harmonies within this musical are really tight and sound gorgeous, especially "Learning To Be Silent". The musical version of the song "Footloose" also takes on a whole new sound to the Kenny Loggins chart version of the song from the film.

Choreographed by Katherine Vernon, and this musical is dance heavy with some big ensemble numbers full of energy which the cast delivered with great energy and panache.

Set Design and props are supplied by Proscenium and there's a nice cartoon look about some of the set. Additional props are supplied by Jude and Hadyn*.

The Props Team are Jude Mcnulty-Green, Hadyn* Green and Jane Lesley Cunliffe.

Stage managed by Trevor Adams, assisted by Stu Bartram and Crew consisting of Richard Hand, Suzie Hand, Owen McConnell, Stefan Kotarba, Izzy Hand and Ian Cliffe. I got the feeling that a lot of the set placing may have been done in a hurry as there was quite a bit of noise with setting up the scenes behind the gauze curtain, but with this being opening night making sure everything was spot on and positioned within the time for the scene changes probably was the reason for the noise. Now that opening night is over, those backscreen noises may disappear, or reduce.

Sound is by Neil "Wes" Wesley, nicely mixed with the orchestration/backings and just the odd late sound cues, but it's opening night so nerves may be high.

Lighting is by Richard Chamberlain. There was one scene where there was no spotlight for a while on Ethel, I think it was, while she was singing "Learning To Be Silent", but I'm just assuming it's due to nerves for opening night. I know that Richard is an incredibly capable Lighting Operator, so I'm not worried about the rest of the run not being spot on, if you'll pardon the pun.

Costumes are by Charlotte Broomfield and Hannie Castledine with many of the costumes seen on stage sourced by cast members.

Even with the minor sound and lighting issues, and part of the "dropped into place" scenery sections landing on a cast member's head (hope that you weren't hurt), I adored the production. it's so much fun, the score is well-known and will have your toes tapping, and there's plenty of energy in the choreography, and nothing could mar my enjoyment of this production of "Footloose".

"Footloose the Musical" is at The Melton Theatre until Saturday 10 October.