To pick out elements, songs or actors for specific praise is hard as everything was so good! The sets and lighting were used expertly, the music was without fault and the acting, from the whole company, was excellent even coping with the odd misplaced line or lost hat!
Olly Gourley had the difficult role of playing Ren. Difficult not only because of the demands of the role itself, but also due to the fact that Kevin Bacon famously playing the role in the now iconic film version in 1984. However Olly managed this feat well attacking the role, both physically and vocally, with power, energy and talent.
Gemma Cohen brought the charatcer of Ariel to life on stage and also made it her own. The song 'Learning to be Silent', sung with Sara Hickling as Vi and Zoe Berry as Ethel was breathtakingly beautiful in its execution.
Peter Brown's rendition of 'Heaven Hel Me' was likewise a high point in a show which barely dropped below the highest of standards.
My favourite performances however have to be Matthew Wallace's Willard and Tori William's Rusty. Both actors played their quirky roles for maximum comedy effect but holding on the believability so as not to make them too clown like. Matthew was a perfect counterpart, in both look and sound, to Olly's Ren. His song 'Mama Says' was a work of pure comedy in its execution. Tori, also shone in her songs, 'Let's Hear it for the Boys' being superb.
I could on and list many of the ensemble for their expert performances which kept me enthralled, engaged and not knowing where to look on stage. Two names I have to mention are Lewis Sheldrake and Matthew Giles as particularly standing out.
This run of Footloose by LODS ends today, but if this production is anything to go by, their next production 'The Addams Family' in May 2015 will be one definitely not to miss.