Stage Adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie Based on the Original Screenplay by Dean Pitchford Music by Tom Snow Lyrics by Dean Pitchford Tickets from £15.00 ★…
Hormones, dreams, tunes, confetti, and hips are flying in the Pitlochry Festival Theatre's second musical extravaganza, Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie'sFootloose, a more rambunctious step aside from their production of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.
Now infamous, the town of Bomont has forbidden dancing on the grounds of its sinful encouragement on the youth, following a tragic event which led to the death of four youths – including Reverend Shaw Moore's (Robin Simpson) son – which prompts the outlawing. Footloose wears its heart and soundtrack, brazenly on its sleeve, the catalyst for change coming in the form of young Ren McCormack (Luke Wilson), a young boy who has moved to the town with his mother Ethel (Nina Kristofferson), and his adjustment to the small town mindset, but realises the only difference from Chicago is that the people who know your business are a bit closer to your doorstep.
While Rev. Shaw spends the mornings preaching to the town, his daughter Ariel (Kirsty Findlay) skirts over the state lines to revel in the pleasures denied – and hang out with the most contemptible chap she can find, Chuck Cranston (Conor Going). Finding themselves a magnet for trouble, Ren finds himself at the centre of a battle between generations looking for an outlet and an opportunity to express themselves within the safety of their own town. A rebellious and firecracker musical which, somehow, fends off the easy routes of jukebox musicality, and instead channels strong performances and heart into an impressive, if predictable, tale.
No matter where they turn, Ren finds that 'Somebody's Eyes Are Watching' in one of the production's more charged musical performances which makes use of Adrian Rees' industrial set that clashes with the more 'hick-town' main stage and vibe. A convincingly angsty-teen performance from Wilson, one filled with rage from his absent father, they make a likeable and comedic Ren, one which aids in the authentic shifting perspectives people have towards him, warming, none more so than Findlay's Ariel. Individually, they are brilliant, but together they are delightful to watch in the intimate moments. The friendship and eventual sparks of more feel earned and built upon rather than flung together. They achieve a definitive sense of aiding and growth rather than just hormones blazing (though the production certainly doesn't shy from the more fiery and passionate moments).
All performed in the theatre's trademark style, the cast dipping in and out of live instrumental performances to bring even more energy to the already lighting-charged show. And by the time the audience gets to the girl's rendition of 'Holding Out for a Hero', they are behind the show 110%. Vocally, audiences are treated to balances of comedy and heart from Signe Larsson and Elizabeth Rowe, Luke Thornton fills the role of the role of Willard with aplomb and plenty of laughs (if the writing is a little one-dimensional). But there's plenty of depth beyond Kally Lloyd-Jones' vibrant and kicking choreography and the medley of familiar musical numbers. Footloosedraws out the issues of cultural censorship and control with a more nuanced degree that cannot help but wink and nudge to today's climate and growing generational divisions. It turns Pitlochry's Footloose from an entertaining piece into a clever one.
Bringing an authentic sense of motherly protection to her performance, Kristofferson draws that generational divide closer to an understanding with the youngsters, not without their limits it shakes their son up and snaps him into reality when push comes to shove. And where Rev. Shaw is usually thrown in the shade of the two-dimensional antagonist, Simpson takes this role and makes it their own, investing weight into the character, as well as shades of distress and grief, supported by a strong presence from WendyPaver as the reverend's wife, Vi. A woman so desperate for her husband to look beyond his grief, and into what he's losing right in front of him.
This is how you do a musical. Full of life, imagination, and energy, Pitlochry's Footloose may be a familiar show for many audiences, but their production compiles all the excellent elements of a jukebox musical, infusing a profoundly 'Pitlochry's stamp of skill and warmth into the show, and utterly nails what is expected – going beyond in delivering this hit show.
This Is How You Do A Musical
Footloose runs at The Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Edinburgh until September 26th Running time - Two hours and twenty-five minutes with one interval Photo credit -Fraser Band
Review by Dominic Corr - contact@corrblimey.uk
Editor for Corr Blimey, and a freelance critic for Scottish publications, Dominic has been writing freelance for several established and respected publications such as BBC Radio Scotland, The Skinny, Edinburgh Festival Magazine, The Reviews Hub, In Their Own League The Wee Review and Edinburgh Guide. As of 2023, he is a member of the Critic's Award for Theatre Scotland(CATS) and a member of the UK Film Critics.
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