Presented by
Supa Productions
ANU Arts
Centre until 28th September 2013
Reviewed by
Bill Stephens
Best known
as a choreographer and dancer, Jordan Kelly, makes an impressive directorial
debut with this exuberant production of “Footloose”. Kelly has managed to find
warmth and relevance in a fairly lacklustre script and score, by drawing strong
committed performances from his largely inexperienced cast to produce a fast-paced,
energetic, occasionally moving, night in the theatre.
The rather predictable
storyline concerns an outsider, Ren who finds himself attracted to the town’s
bad-girl, Ariel. Ariel is coping badly with her grief over the loss of her
brother, who lost his life with three other teenagers in a road accident. As a
result of this accident, the town council, led by Ariel’s preacher-father, has
banned dancing. But after a series of misadventures, Ren and Ariel find love
together after Ren convinces Ariel’s father, and the town council, that dancing
is not such a bad thing at all.
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| Angus Murphy and Eliza Shephard in "Footloose". |
Angus Murphy
and Eliza Shephard give strong, interesting performances as Ren and Ariel. Both
had trouble with intonation on opening night, but, despite their relative
inexperience, both gave such confident,
intelligent performances that the audience was drawn to care about their
characters, so that by the time they had reached their well- staged duet on the
railway bridge, any vocal deficiencies were forgiven.
No such
vocal deficiencies exist among Ariel’s three vivacious friends, played by
Claudia Tetrault-Percy, Kirrah Amosa and Zoe Priest, who sing their three- part
harmonies with pin-point accuracy and light up the stage on every appearance. As Ren’s socially inept side-kick, Anthony
Simeonovic gives an engaging performance, displaying a talent for fancy
dancing, and garnering the lion’s share of the laughs.
Tim Stiles
brings a fine singing voice and welcome gravitas to the role of Ariel’s
over-bearing father, Reverend Shaw Moore. His climatic conversion scene with Ren
is a real highlight. Christine Forbes is well-cast as his wife, Vi, utilising
her considerable experience to bring warmth and empathy to an otherwise under-written
role. Maureen Read was also very effective as Ren’s mother, Ethel.
The simple, functional
setting designed by Jordan Kelly and Dan Kempton works well, allowing for smooth
scene transitions while leaving sufficient space for the many dance sequences,
devised by choreographer, Nikole Neal which are performed with enthusiasm and
confidence by the large ensemble cast.
First time Musical
Director, Nicholas Griffin and his small band provide excellent musical backing
while keeping the show flowing smoothly between scene changes. So good were
they that they should consider some exit music to maintain the atmosphere while
the audience leave the theatre.
“Footloose”
may not be the best musical you’ll see this year, but there’s so much to enjoy
in this high-spirited, exuberant production that it would be a pity to miss it.
