Review: Footloose at the Liverpool Empire

Oct 14 2008 Chester Chronicle

FOOTLOOSE/Liverpool Empire, until October 18

REVIEW/by Peggy Woodcock

THE first chord of music nearly blasted me out of my seat. It was followed by ultimate stage laser lighting.

Footloose the Musical doesn’t come or go quietly. It’s full-on fun, loud, high energy, brash, in your face at the start and finish and, right now, you could say this is just the sort of uplift that people need from the theatre.

In between we had a story with a moral, about coming to terms with tragedy, about family love and trust, about not being afraid of something new. Again, not a bad idea for today’s world.

Above all, though, Footloose is a show about kids for kids and it went down a storm with Monday night’s young audience at the Liverpool Empire. There was a rebellion going on on stage and they were right up there with it.

Set in an American small town, the show follows events as dance-mad teenager Ren arrives from the big city and finds fun of any sort, including dance, is banned because five years ago four teenagers were killed in a post-dance tragic accidents.

But the preacher’s repressive regime threatens not just the town but his family. Cue teenage daughter Ariel’s rebellion which makes her Ren’s natural partner…

The show has its pathos, then, but also lots of comedy which actually gets a much better treatment. And it has a great score that includes such classics as Holding Out for a Hero - though this was rendered as part of a rather tacky male dressing up scene - Let’s Hear it for the Boy and, of course, Footloose.

The young cast can’t be faulted for enthusiasm and energy and turn in some great routines. Central performances are strong too, though Stephen Webb’s Ren had more charisma than skill.

Twinnie-Lee Moore as Ariel was a force to be reckoned with, a great performer and stage presence. Unexpectedly, though, perhaps the best moments were provided by Simon Lipkin, a scene stealer as the inept Willard, and Jodie Jacobs, who delivered the best vocals as Rusty, his girlfriend.

Visit www.LiverpoolEmpire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525 for booking information.