Audience cuts loose at Footloose

The audience ended up dancing in the aisles at the opening night of Footloose at the Millennium Forum as the 80s classic movie was brought to life on stage.

There was no garage scene but it didn’t matter, as the energetic cast sang, danced and acted their hearts out.

The big names included Lee Brennan, of boyband 911 fame, who played a comedic Willard. His constant gum chewing was exaggerated and gave him a country-hick feel, a quality he played with passion and authenticity.

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The mainly female audience also appreciated the scene in which he stripped down to a pair of very skimpy shorts adorned with sequinned pockets.

His love interest Rusty, played by Joanna Sawyer, was a stand out performer, with a voice that raised the roof. She, like most of the cast, also played a number of instruments as the music was played live on stage.

This move away from a traditional orchestra was fantastic, and it was great to see the instruments played so close up.

All of the top hits were there, including the title ‘Foorloose’ alongside ‘Holding Out for a Hero’, ‘Almost Paradise’ and ‘Let’s Hear it for the Boy’ - tracks that were all written especially for the movie, and which are now iconic 80s classics.

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The lead characters of Ariel, played by Hannah Moore, and Ren, played by Luke Baker, were fantastic, with their love story playing in the background of the main storyline. In a musical theatre show the music is all important but their acting was also top class.

But the all-singing, all-dancing, cast were all brilliant, and the reaction from the audience, including a five minute ling standing ovation, proved that they hit all the right notes.

The show continues all week until Saturday 4th June, with limited seats available on Saturday, and if you want to blow away the cobwebs and let your hair down, then Footloose is the show for you.

Tickets are now available from the Box Office. Telephone (028)71 264455 or visit www.millenniumforum.co.uk for bookings.

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