Footloose At New Victoria Theatre, Woking Review

Reviewed by Joanne Hughes

Being a true 80s child (neon ra-ra skirts, the Breakfast Club and Cyndi Lauper), I was thrilled to be invited to see the musical adaptation of the iconic film ‘Footloose’ at Woking Theatre, and I wasn’t alone – it was a packed out auditorium – so I knew it was going to be a fun-filled evening bursting with song and dance.

Opening with the title number, the show started as it continued, with impressive choreography, exceptional dancing skills and bountiful amounts of zest and energy, which had us buzzing all the way through. More distinctively for this show, the actors/musicians, accompanied by Bob Carr on drums, provide all the music for the performance, playing their instruments alongside dancing and singing – an amazingly talented cast!

For those who aren’t 80’s children, Footloose is a wonderful tale of teenage rebellion starts with the young Ren (Joshua Hawkins) and his mother (Wendy Paver) – recently abandoned by the father – packing up their things and leaving the buzzing metropolis of Chicago to head to the backwater hick town of Bomont to live with his Uncle. As Ren tries to navigate his way through the early days of a new high-school, he learns that Bomont has some rather strange laws – most strange of all is that of NO DANCING!

Finding himself being ostracized by certain members of his new school – in particular Chuck (Tom Mussell) and his gang – Ren falls into trouble, displeasing his uncle, the town congregation and, more importantly, the dominating Reverand Shaw Moore (Darren Day). Luckily, he is befriended by the dim-witted but kindly Willard (who was played by Ben Mabberley on this occasion as Jake Quickenden was, unfortunately, unable to perform due to health reasons), whilst he is also becoming keen on Chuck’s girlfriend, Ariel, who is also the Reverand’s daughter.

Ren learns that the ‘No Dancing Rule’ is due to a road accident five years earlier in which four young boys from Bomont, including Ariel’s brother, died. The accident occurred as the boys were heading home from a night of music, dancing, drugs and alcholol and fuelled the local town council, directed by the Reverand Shaw, to ban all dancing. Wanting to ‘free’ the youths of Bomont of the burdens held over them as a result of the accident and to lift their spirits, Ren makes it his mission to organise a high-school dance; though he is up against some stiff opposition.

Joshua Hawkins expertly manoeuvres us through the teenage emotions of loss of his father, love for Ariel and wish for freedom and self-expression – bringing sincerity, warmth and humour to the role whilst exhibiting his excellent vocal, musical and dancing skills. Ben Mabberley stepped up to the role of Willard with great professionalism and the scene in which we see his overalls swapped for gold underpants was both heart-warming and hilarious.

Oonagh Cox gave an entertaining performance as Willard’s sweetheart, Rusty, with an inspiring delivery of the hit song ‘Let’s Hear It For The Boy’. And, the well-known Darren Day’s presence on stage was powerful, with strong solos’, including ‘Heaven Help Me’, though it was his rendition of Elvis that was the most memorable moment – it even had the lady seated near to me snorting with laughter! However, it was Ariel (Lucy Munden) who stole the show; Miss Munden delighted us all in her first professional debut, giving a sassy, strong and sensitive performance with truly impressive vocals – she wowed us singing ‘Holding Out For A Hero’.

Altogether, the whole cast delivered an impressive and energetic show, with many of them having double roles and playing various musical instruments. From the opening scene to the final curtain, the whole show was a sensation with wonderful choreography, expert stage direction and clever stage settings – I particularly liked the double use of the shower props as school lockers, which were skilfully employed during the remakable song ‘Somebody’s Eyes’.

Footloose is currently playing at Woking’s state-of-the-art New Victoria Theatre located in the centre of the town, attached to the Peacock Shopping Centre, which has plenty of parking available. It is a five-minute walk from the main train station and local bus stops are nearby. The main theatre has a 1300 seat auditorium and excellent acoustics. There is a bar on each level which provides a large variety of snacks and refreshments and the staff are friendly and helpful.

The show is on now until this Saturday, 18th June, and tickets are available from £13 (subject to a transaction fee of £3.65) – these can be purchased online at https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/footloose/new-victoria-theatre/ or from the box office on telephone number 0333 009 6690 – so if you’re looking for a fun-packed, toe-tapping, entertaining evening then ‘kick off your Sunday shoes’ and get down to the New Victoria Theatre this week.

Rating: 5/5