When tragedy hits a small town, the local minister veers towards social conservatism and uses his influence over the Bomont town council make dancing illegal. Into this repressed backwater enter two outsiders, Ren and his mum Ethel, moving out of Chicago after a family breakup. Can Ren earn the respect of his peers in school? Can the minister be convinced to listen to his family, never mind the other townsfolk? Can Bomont boogie once more?
Ravara Productions’ summer youth show
Footloose takes an enthusiastic cast and puts them through their paces. The musical opens with a choreographed ensemble dance number that establishes the cast’s ability to deliver high energy routines. A six-piece band play live in one corner of the stage.
Shane Ferris portrays the stern Rev Moore who lays down the law even when there isn’t an opportunity. Anna Guest is the goody-two-shoes preacher’s kid in church, and literally pulls off that façade when Ariel sneaks off at night behind her parents’ back. Ben McCamley brings to life Ren’s feeling of being an unwanted misfit, sings and skips at the same time, and after the interval begins Dancing Is Not A Crime with a confident rap. Ariel and Ren’s duet Almost Paradise has great chemistry and musicality.
Mama Says is another good illustration of the harmony vocal talent of the cast, and a scene which benefits from one of a fleet of colourful sofas that are wheeled on and off the stage. But the show stealers are the will-they-won’t-they pair, fast-talking dungaree-rockin’ country bumpkin Willard (Harrison Gordon) and velvety soul-voiced Rusty (Serena Smart) who constantly add colour and comedy to the production. Neve Wilkinson (Wendy-Jo) and Sophie Teal (Urlene) ably support Rusty as Ariel’s friendship group while David Campbell neatly switches roles between Uncle Wes, the cruel coach and a cop as well as ensemble duties.
Footloose the film has somewhat dropped out of the cultural consciousness, and as a consequence performances of the stage adaptation are few and far between on the local stage. However, the 100-minute musical proves a good showcase for the teens and twenties under the direction of Kerry Rodgers, all achieved within in a very tight rehearsal timeframe. And it’s tale of standing up to religious beliefs that spill over into social constraint that is quite apt for 2023.
Footloose continues
at The MAC until Saturday 2 September.
Photo credit: Gorgeous Photography - Melissa Gordon
Enjoyed this review? Why not click on the Buy Me a Tea button!
When tragedy hits a small town, the local minister veers towards social conservatism and uses his influence over the Bomont town council make dancing illegal. Into this repressed backwater enter two outsiders, Ren and his mum Ethel, moving out of Chicago after a family breakup. Can Ren earn the respect of his peers in school? Can the minister be convinced to listen to his family, never mind the other townsfolk? Can Bomont boogie once more?
No comments:
Post a Comment