Bringing home the bacon with a toe-tapping throwback

Classic costumes, toe-tapping live tunes and the depth of artistic talent Marlborough possesses in spades will be on display for the next 10 days. Familiar drums, then bass, then the electric guitar of Footloose’s title track sets the scene as we’re less-than-warmly welcomed to Bomont and the McCormick family, the lights dropping for two hours of flair and fun interspersed by dramatic depth and emotional messaging for theatre-goers to take home with them.

We jump around Bomont, from the high school and the church to sitting just above the tunnel for the only train out of town, just as we jump from breathless boogies to emotional ballads across an incredibly-talented and well-rounded cast.

Obviously, everybody does get footloose, with James Dight’s Ren McCormick claiming the crowd from the outset and setting the tone with his individual performances, leading into rehearsed group numbers and intricate full cast choreography from all the cast as the residents of Bomont reclaim their dancing shoes.

James’s Ren played brilliantly off his side characters, whether it is doting mother Ethel, played by Nadia Campbell, or Lyriks Caldwell’s Willard, whose character grew in confidence and built a charming second storyline couple dynamic with Carolie Andrew’s heartwarming rendition of Rusty.

The entire Moore family of Claudia Mark’s Ariel, Spencer Kingi’s Reverend Shaw and Anne Vowter’s Vi are brilliantly sympathetic characters throughout, asking the audience to reflect on reactions to loss on relationships and the desire of a parent for their children, which makes the eventual emotional redemption of the Reverend even more powerful.

While causing plenty of trouble for both Ren in the form of the mean Mannie Tai as Chuck Cranston and performing many fun numbers alongside her girlfriends, aptly played by Ainsley Bell and Nadia Zintl throughout, Claudia makes Ariel a real emotional crutch of the show.

This production of Footloose is a timely reminder that we shouldn’t close our minds to creativity, a community is stronger when it’s connected, and that a sing and a dance will make you feel better.

The light shuffling and coughs from backstage and the twang of final instrument tuning from the orchestra pit was obvious in a mostly empty ASB Theatre at rehearsal time, but that won’t be heard over the applause of full audiences, which the Blenheim Musical Theatre actors and accompanying musicians deserve after their efforts in putting on such a polished performance.

Director Liz McKay said, “I think we’re ready”, as the Sunday sneak peek drew to a close. I hope the audiences are just as ready for a fantastic show.

Blenheim Musical Theatre presents Footloose: The Musical at the ASB Theatre from May 14 to 24.
Weekdays - 7.30 PM
Saturday 17 May - 2PM & 7.30PM
Sunday 18 May - 2PM
Saturday 24 May - 4PM