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REVIEW: Get on your dancing shoes for Footloose


By Kyle Ritchie

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High energy extravaganza Footloose has danced its way into His Majesty's Theatre in Aberdeen this week.

Featuring JLS star Aston Merrygold and singer, actor and TV presenter Darren Day it brings the 1980s feel-good smash hit film from screen to stage.

It impressively mixes music, comedy and emotion for a theatre experience that is hard not to cut loose to.

The musical follows the story of the classic movie, which starred Kevin Bacon and propelled his acting career.

City boy Ren McCormack moves to the small town of Bomont where dancing has been banned by the local minster Rev Shaw Moore.

Ren makes it his mission to get the community back on the dancefloor but it proves to be harder than first envisioned when he learns of the tragedy that led to the decision.

He also makes life more difficult for himself when he falls for the reverend's daughter Ariel, which brings him into conflict with the minister and her bully boyfriend Chuck.

Joshua Hawkins takes on the lead role of Ren with great gusto and is full of energy right until the last beat of the show.

He has great chemistry with Lucy Munden who plays Ariel with an assured performance in what is her professional theatre debut.

Joshua Hawkins stars as Ren McCormack and Lucy Munden as Ariel Moore.
Joshua Hawkins stars as Ren McCormack and Lucy Munden as Ariel Moore.

Their relationship moves the story forward as they and the community come to terms with the tragedy and dancing returns to Bomont.

Another key coupling is that of Day and Holly Ashton who plays his wife Vi Moore.

The show explores how his decisions and over protectiveness of his daughter affects their relationship and family.

Day brings an authoritative edge to his character and also gets opportunities to display his singing talents on a few of the songs.

Moore also gets moments in the spotlight when she displays superb vocal range.

The show itself has a uniqueness as there is no dedicated band near the stage as all the actors play the instruments while performing. This would see those who were not featuring on the stage jump onto the piano in the background for example.

It gives the whole cast a chance to shine whether that be singing, dancing, or playing a plethora of instruments.

The performers also play all the instruments on stage.
The performers also play all the instruments on stage.

The show features a number of original songs written for the musical as well as the huge hits from the movie.

Particular highlights are act one closer I'm Free/Heaven Help Me which is a powerful performance before the break.

There is also great energy when the youngsters discover dance with a trip to a cowboy bar. It is here where Merrygold's character Willard finds his dancing feet.

The JLS singer has just joined the production during the Aberdeen dates taking over from Jake Quickenden.

Aston Merrygold is now starring as Willard.
Aston Merrygold is now starring as Willard.

However, you would not know it was only his second show as he does not miss a beat.

His extensive performance background shows but he also gets to showcase his comedic talents when portraying the character.

The bright neon lights in the production add to the 80s vibes and the staging is used cleverly to help tell the story.

The pace is slowed down at a number of points including heartfelt duet Almost Paradise sung by Ren and Ariel, when the story takes an emotional turn.

It all builds to the showstopping finale when Ren is successful in organising his dance and everybody shows off their best moves to the title track.

The audience are encouraged to join the party at the end during a megamix of hits and as the theatre lights came on the actors were still dancing.

Footloose is an electric theatre experience and also left the audience bopping along long after it had finished.

It is being performed at His Majesty's Theatre until Saturday and tickets are available from the online box office.


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