Matt Willis Leads FOOTLOOSE on UK Tour, Jan 21

FOOTLOOSE: The Dance Musical will begin performances for its fifth UK tour on Friday, January 21 at the Newcastle Theatre Royal, ending its run at the Leeds Grand Theatre on Saturday, July 2, 2011.

FOOTLOOSE is based on the 1984 film that took to the Broadway stage in 1998. With a book by Dean Pitchford, it tells the story of Ren, a city boy from Chicago who is forced to move to the country where dancing is strictly prohibited. Ren doesn't let this stop him from tapping his toes, however, and he slowly brings dancing back to life for the folks living in Bomont.

The show played two West End runs in 2006 and 2007, at the Novello and The Playhouse, respectively. Karen Bruce, best-known for choreographing The Wedding Singer, Fame, Never Forget, and Saturday Night Fever, is directing and choreographing FOOTLOOSE's tour.

The tour will star Matt Willis as Chuck, Max Milner as Ren and Steve Pinder as Reverend Shaw Moore. Willis is currently starring as Nick in the West End's production of FLASHDANCE The Musical until January 15, 2011. He is also the founder of British pop rock band Busted, after which he led a successful solo career.

The cast also includes Carys Gray, Lorna Want, Jodie Jacobs, Keisha Amponsa Banson, Tanya Robb, Daniel Smith, Adam C. Booth, Giovanni Spano, Michael Palmer, Ben Harris, Simon Campbell, Kirk Barker, Simon Hardwick, Natalie Andreou, Sarah Kitson, Lindsey Tierney, Katy Hards, Nikki Mullins and Rory Locke.

For more information about the UK's FOOTLOOSE tour, visit www.footloosethemusical.co.uk.