Footloose The Musical At The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford Review

Reviewed by Kat Harrison

Last night I got the opportunity to review ‘Footloose’ at Bradford’s Alhambra Theatre. Following two critically acclaimed tours and a West End run, I was eager to see this rework of the 1980’s screen sensation, starring reality TV favourite Jake Quickenden and legendary West End stalwart Darren Day.

‘Footloose’ is an uplifting watch; more lighthearted than its film counterpart and perfect for fans of ‘that kind of musical’ that ends with a whole auditorium of ear to ear grins. You can expect strong performances from a mighty talented bunch of stage school all-rounders.

The story is a simple one. City boy Ren is less than thrilled when his Mum moves them to rural Bomont. And his world is really rocked when he discovers the town, after suffering a tragic loss, has banned dancing. But Ren is ready to take matters into his own hands, encouraging the matriarch of the town to bring dancing and fun back into everyone’s lives.

‘Footloose’ is certainly fun and whilst the plot is far from complex, it showcases some of the best UK musical talent. The majority of the music that features in the show is played live on stage by the actors; not only is this cast an all-singing, all dancing one, it’s one that plays piano, guitar, clarinet, saxophone, flute… and effortlessly switches between performing spoken lines, energetic dance routines, superbly sung songs and renditions on a variety of instruments. Talent like this can’t have been easy to find and it’s obvious a huge amount of effort has gone into putting together this ensemble.

For me however, the staging isn’t quite there. There’s some clever ideas that incorporate the set such as saxophone players sounding out of the school showers and a locker than becomes a car, but the scenes are not quite as slick as I felt they could have been.

The staging is tight with actors squeezed into scenes to show off their musical talents, meaning characters take centre stage when there’s no real need for them to be there within the context of the story. The instrumental work is fab but it did leave the stage looking cramped and perhaps took away from the story. I was grateful the tale was one easy to follow as I was often distracted by the musical goings-on. Nevertheless, the cast should add the ability to smoothly shift and nimbly negotiate a set whilst acting, singing, dancing and playing an instrument (not to mention skipping and bouncing a ball!)

There are definitely no weaknesses in terms of cast. Every actor gives it their all, perhaps aside from Jake Quikkenden as loveable redneck Willard, who seemed to lose steam towards the end of the show and whose heart didn’t quite seem in it. I wondered if he just wasn’t quite feeling it as the performance progressed because earlier, his comic timing, stunning voice and his character’s budding bromance with Ren was a complete delight. Jake’s energetic performance of ‘Mama Says‘ was definitely THE highlight of the show for me.

Joshua Hawkins is a strong lead as Ren; he is charismatic and likeable, (perhaps too likeable, I don’t think he quite carried off the ‘bad boy’ image some of the characters suggested he was). His singing was spot on and his dance moves were capable of putting the rest of the carefully choreographed cast to shame. But in this case, as Chief Footlooser they fitted the bill.

Darren Day plays a stellar Reverend Shaw Moore, the man responsible for the town’s dancing ban. How is it that my teenage crush is now playing a middle-aged vicar? My one time Danny Zuko is now a Veteran of Musicals and did a fine job portraying a strict, controlling leader with a soft and sensitive side set to be squeezed.

I must make a big fuss of Lucy Munden who makes her debut as a professional actor, starring as Ariel Moore. You’d never guess with the confidence and professionalism that oozes from her that she only graduated from Theatre School last year. Her performance of 80’s hit, ‘Holding out for a Hero’, (complete with a fan rolled onto the stage for some decade relevant hair movement) was nothing short of fabulous. Powerful. Passionate. Personable. Just like her fun, friendly character, who respects her Reverend Father but not his restrictions on rock n’ roll!

With other 80’s classics including Almost Paradise, Let’s Hear It For The Boy and of course the unforgettable title track Footloose, the music of this musical goes a long way to confirming this production as a crowdpleaser.
The upbeat tunes had hands clapping, toes tapping and even one or two air guitars strumming.

‘Footloose’ is in the main, full of energy. It’s a celebration of music, of dancing and of enjoying both with friends. And after the past two years that have included our own restrictions on socialising, it was apt that the whole audience got to their feet to celebrate the fictional fall down of a restriction on dancing!

Rating: 4 out of 5

Footloose is at The Alhambra Theatre in Bradford until Saturday 25th April with tickets still available.

Tickets priced between £21 – £39.50

https://www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/whats-on/footloose

Box Office: 01274 432000

The Alhambra Theatre 
Morley Street 
Bradford 
BD7 1AJ

See the full UK Tour Dates @ https://footloose-musical.com

Recommended age 8+. Some mild swearing and sexual content