'Footloose', based on the 1984 film, tours the UK

When Footloose was released in 1984, everyone went mad for it. Twenty years later there's still a clear interest in the film, and indeed other classics such as Grease, Fame and Saturday Night Fever - all of which do healthy box offices on tour. They may not be artistic triumphs but they're just good fun.. aren't they?

After an 18 month Broadway run Footloose has decided to go "direct to tour" in England. Judging from what I saw last night, I think it's best that it has. With the one-set-suits-all approach that Fame and Fever both adopted on their last tours, this looks a bit more like a cash in than something we should be queuing up in the West End for

It's fairly innocent stuff - a rebellious teenager moves to a slow, dull town and vows to change the law after he discovers dancing is banned. Throw in your typical teenage love angst and some stereotyped characters - the American priest, the car mechanic and, our star, the rough hero Ren - and what have you got? Footloose.

The biggest problem is, I've seen this show before. Not in its entirety but in a hundred other shows that also tour the UK. It has the bridge from Saturday Night Fever, the diner from Grease, the train from Whistle Down the Wind, the dancing of Fame and a zillion other mild deja vus. That's not to say that's bad - there's no denying Footloose is full of energy and the 'feelgood factor'.

The book is mostly weak; scenes often stopped dead and lines got forced laughs. The atmosphere in the audience was lukewarm at first but livened up in the predominantly better second act. They'd come for a good time, but the script tried to inject serious scenes and heart felt monologues, to little effect. Really, this shouldn't be sold as Footloose - as it's so unlike the film - but more instead 'the musical formerly known as.. Footloose'.

With a very patchy technical team (an over amplified band drowned out the singers, whose microphones often kicked in late), there are some things to take notice of. Karen Bruce, the rising choreographer last seen doing A Chorus Line in Sheffield, brings her flair for large accurate chorus dancing. It may not be groundbreaking but it's exciting stuff all the same.

The performances are also good, though I found it wasn't the two leads who were the stars but instead the two supporting roles - Rusty and Willard. Taylor James as Willard uses his build and height for laughs, but quite rightly as he's supposed to be a slow witted oaf with two left feet. Cassidy Janson has a powerful voice that gives her that extra edge as Rusty and her 'Let's Hear it for the Boy' is the showstopper.

As the male lead Ren, Chris Jarvis is difficult to warm to and has a fixed grin, not helping his 'bad boy' image. Marilyn Cutts, well known for being a third of hit group Fascinating Aida, is clearly the established professional amongst them, her performance being thoroughly convincing.

The supporting cast wear toned bodies that compliment their costumes. Only problem is the costumes are a mix of I Love Lucy and Britney Spears, often causing you to wonder when it's supposed to be set.

All in all, I think the anticipation the film prepares you for - an electric night out - deflates the reality of the tour. If you're a diehard fan and can't resist, you may be disappointed. If you rank Grease amongst your favourite shows, perhaps you're the audience they want.

Footloose tours the UK until June. For more information visit www.footloosethemusical.co.uk

 

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