Anyone who knows me will know I'm a huge fan of 80s movies, with a soft spot for Footloose in particular.
Following two critically acclaimed tours and a West End run, the musical version of Footloose is here in Peterborough right now at the New Theatre. I joined the ESP team to see it and it was a unanimous verdict... we all loved it.
Based on the 1980s screen sensation starring Kevin Bacon (way before he became an EE salesman), the story focuses around city boy Ren, who thinks life is bad enough when he’s forced to move to the rural Bomont, but it gets so much worse when he discovers that rock music and dancing is banned there. Taking matters into his own hands, Ren soon has all hell breaking loose in a mission to get the town dancing again.
Of course, there are some original songs from the movie in the show like Let’s Hear It For The Boy, but you'll also be tapping your feet to classic 80s hits including Holding Out for a Hero, Almost Paradise, and of course the unforgettable title track Footloose.
One thing that really pleasantly surprised me is that most (if not all) the acting cast were musicians too providing all of the tunes. Seeing them seamlessly weaving back and forth from centre stage to the piano or grabbing a guitar was mesmerising, and impressive to say the least.
A crowd pleaser was Jake Quickenden (Dancing on Ice Winner, Hollyoaks) as the loveable cowboy Willard. His impressive repertoire includes Dreamboys so as you could probably imagine, during his topless scene there were quite a few squeals. Sorry, I couldn't help myself.
With a phenomenal singing voice, the legendary Darren Day (TV personality and star of numerous West End and National tours including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and Grease) really played a part in giving us a London quality show, but right here on our doorstep.
Footloose sizzles with that same spirit and fun that made the movie so popular. Ask any of the audience members who were all up and dancing by the end of the show and I'm sure they'll agree with me; you'll not want to miss out on this show.
Footloose is on every night at the New Theatre in Peterborough until Saturday March 19 with an additional afternoon matinee performance, so don’t miss out.
Cut loose and purchase your tickets here: https://newtheatre-peterborough.com/event/footloose/
Mikey Clarke