Review: Footloose, Churchill Theatre

Published on Tuesday 23 February 2010 08:54

Footloose ****, Churchill Theatre

A REVIVAL of Footloose is taking hold. In advance of next year's remake of the 1984 Kevin Bacon classic, Film 4 have been screening the original movie all month and, for this week only, the Edinburgh Music Theatre are staging the 1998 musical adaptation at the Churchill Theatre.

While differing from the film in several key areas, the basic premise of Footloose the musical is the same. Ren (John Kidd), an upstart from Chicago, finds himself in the tiny Bible Belt hamlet of Bomont, where he must save the town's Puritan parishioners from themselves through the power of dance – a school dance, to be precise.

After the tragic death of a group of teenagers returning home from an out-of-town dance, the grieving village has banned all forms of physical expression to the point that even rock music is considered sinful.

Leading his flock in the fight against the lustful and rebellious influence dance has on impressionable teens is Reverend Shaw Moore (Kenneth Pinkerton), who expects his wilful young daughter to uphold his strict moral code.

Unfortunately for the preacher, Ariel has already been 'kissed by a lot of boys' and it looks like Ren might just be the next in line.

With a strong musical score, including the all the hits that first gave the movie cult status, and a pithy, knowing script, the show exudes an effervescent charisma which the EMT embrace with gusto.

Opening the play with a snappy dance number and rendition of Footloose, the audience is immediately transported into Ren's world.

From there, the action proceeds at breakneck pace for the next two and a half absorbing hours, as the EMT managed to rein in some opening night technical issues and put in a fantastic musical performance.

Combined with a live band on stage during the second act, director Michael Richardson managed to create a vibrant and lively atmosphere throughout the night. Standing out, in particular, an electric rendition of Holding Out For a Hero by Ariel, Louise Black, and her three trusty sidekicks Katy Gadsby, Stacey-Lee Eccles and Hilary Paterson.

Richardson's use of white picket fencing to create the set is also simple, effective and inspired, while choreographer Janice Bruce has gone all out in her few dance scenes, with great ensemble footwork reminiscent of the film and a myriad of lifts and flips that add pizzazz.

Leading the ensemble as Ren, Kidd plays the character with a happy go lucky ease that is a side effect of the removal of some of the darker themes of religious hypocrisy and tolerance from the text. Similarly, the conversion of Shaw Moore from stern patriarch to reformed sinner is unconvincing, even with Kenneth Pinkerton's excellent performance in the role.

Supporting the principle cast, Julia More and Lee Brown also put in scene stealing performances as Vi Moore and Willard Hewitt, respectively.

All in all, it's the perfect place to kick off your Sunday shoes and cut loose.