REVIEW: WODYS production of Footloose at Swan Theatre

RETURNING to the Swan Theatre for their annual visit, WODYS (Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society Youth Section) once again raised the roof with an outstanding version of the musical Footloose adapted for the stage by Dean Pitchford with music by Tom Snow.

Moving in from Chicago, newcomer Ren McCormack is in shock when he discovers the small Midwestern town he now calls home has made dancing and rock music illegal.

As he struggles to fit in McCormack faces an uphill battle to change things.

With the help of his new friend Willard Hewitt and defiant teen Ariel Moore, he might loosen up the conservative town and starts a movement to get the ban abolished.

But Moore’s influential father Reverend Shaw Moore stands in his way.

The opening number Footloose, with its acrobatic start, was just full of energy and some early toe-tapping harmony singing.

Ren, played by Ellis Harding, soon demonstrated some great moves and sang well but he comes across defiant opposition to dancing from the reverend at his new home in Bomont, Utah.

Moore, played by Alfie Thompson, preached high morals.

Thompson’s acting was superb when in defiant mood and also later when conciliatory.

His wife Vi was beautifully played by Maya Sumera and so too was daughter Ariel by Caitlin Clements.

There were a number of other strong characters all well played — Ethel McCormack, Ren’s mother (Isabelle Mann), and Chuck Cranston (Kieran Lilley), both with great voices, Rusty (Kate Sutton), great expression and voice, Coach Dunbar (Charlie Raven), Principal Harriet Clark (Lucy Cobban), both dominant and forceful, and an impressive Lulu Warnicker (Summer Geary).

For good comedy timing Sam Skyrme excelled as Willard Hewitt with his well-paced dialogue.

There were some outstanding musical numbers throughout, including Somebody’s Eyes led by Urleen (Lily Kidman-Beeson), Wendy-Jo (Sophie Maidens) and Rusty (Sutton) with some great harmonies, Learning to Be Silent sung beautifully by Sumera, Mann and Clements.

There were several moving scenes in Rev Shaw’s house-hold when Ren meets up with Shaw and their inner sadness becomes clear and particularly when Sumera sang Can You Find It in Your Heart in act two which was gentle and full of quality.

Throughout, the dancing was full of energy, nothing short of precise and well-rehearsed which is no more than we would expect from this talented group, including such numbers as Holding Out For A Hero and I’m Free which was uplifting.

The set was impressive and so too were the costumes, orchestra and sound which all rounded off an evening of top quality.

Footloose — foot perfect and fabulous.

Be quick and catch a ticket if you can before the final performances on Saturday, including a matinee, either online or via the box office on 01905 611427.