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Time to Cut
Loose At Tyne Theatre
Footloose: The Musical
Newcastle Tyne Theatre & Opera House
Until Saturday 16th July 2016
Until Saturday 16th July 2016
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| Photo: Matt Martin |
After
the success of Avenue Q, Sell-A-Door return to the Tyne Theatre with the feel
good hit Footloose. Based upon the popular 80s film that helped make Kevin
Bacon a star, it has songs like Holding
Out For A Hero, Lets Hear It For The Boy and, of course, Footloose. This production fulfils the
Sell-A-Door mantra of making theatre that will appeal to young adult audiences.
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| Photo: Matt Martin |
Footloose
begins with Ren (Luke Baker) and his mother (Nicky Swift) leaving Chicago after Ren’s Dad walks
out on them. They head to the quiet town of Bomont, where Ren’s uncle (Alex
Marshall) has offered them a place to stay. They attend a service of the
Reverend Shaw Moore (Nigel Lister) in which the change in pace is quickly
apparent. Ren catches the eye of the Reverend’s daughter, Ariel (Hannah Price)
who is dating bad boy Chuck (Matthew Tomlinson). Ariel’s father does not
approve of any excitable behaviour.
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| Photo: Matt Martin |
At
school Ren doesn’t fit in though he quickly turns Willard (Luke Thornton) into
a friend and helps him take a wider view. This is fortunate as Rusty (Joanna
Sawyer) is struggling to get Willard to move to the first base in a
relationship. Against this backdrop Ren discovers that there is a ban on
dancing within the town’s limits after 4 children had a car accident on a local
bridge after such an even. One of those young people killed was the son of the
Revered and his wife, Vi (Maureen Nolan) and so the Rev used his authority on
the Town’s board to maintain the law. The musical then explores how the final year High School students cope with the tough
rules.
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| Photo: Matt Martin |
Racky
Plews directs another tight production. This production differs from a previous
production of the show we have seen by moving the musicians onto the stage.
Almost every actor finds themselves playing at least one instrument at some
point. This leaves musical director David Ketch tucked behind his drum kit at the
side of the stage. Having the music being created in full view of the audience
keeps up the energy levels of the production.
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| Photo: Matt Martin |
This
production, on paper, lacked a star as Gareth Gates is going to be missing, on
doctors orders, until Thursday. In reality Luke Baker, Maureen Nolan, Hannah
Price, Luke Thornton, Joanna Sawyer and Nigel Lister have more than enough star
quality to make it worth coming along to see the show. Each one has their moment to shine. Maureen Nolan
nails it with her performance of Can You
Find It In Your Heart? and Hannah Price, Joanna Sawyer, Natasha Brown and
Miracle Chance make Let’s Hear it For The
Boy their own. The girls don’t have it their own way as, for example Scott
Haining shows as Cowboy Bob during Still
Rockin’.
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| Photo: Matt Martin |
The show finishes with a Footloose mix which
had the audience on their feet “cutting it loose” at the end.
This
is an energetic production worthy of a packed house. It’s a vibrant show that
helps put the Tyne Theatre on the Newcastle cultural map.
This review was written by Stephen
Oliver for
Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com).
Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo
on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo.
Read the original North East Theatre Guide preview: http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/preview-footloose-musical-at-newcastle.html
Tickets: £22.50 - £32.50. Group booking discount available. (plus booking fees
when booking online and over the phone)
The Tyne Theatre & Opera House Box Office is open 10am-3:30pm
Monday to Friday and event days
Booking and Information Line: 0844 2491 000 (10am – 6pm
Monday to Friday)
Website: www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk
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