This stage adaptation of the hit movie Footloose should have been a vibrant, raucous and youthful celebration of dazzling dance.
Unfortunately, what we got on the opening night of this production at the Palace in Manchester fell short of the mark and lacked energy and vitality. Continue reading “REVIEW: Footloose @ The Palace, Manchester”
Get down to the Palace Theatre and set your phasers to rock ‘n’ roll for one of best shows in town in a fitting 25th anniversary celebration of this incredible phenomenon.
The unlikely combination of sci-fi, comedy, Shakespeare and great music makes for a wonderful showcase for the talents of a truly amazing cast who are giving it everything in the last week of their nationwide tour.
No-one can be faulted in this production, based on the classic 1950s sci-fi film, Forbidden Planet, which is loosely based on Shakespeare’s the Tempest.
It is proof positive of the validity of the old saying that if you are going to go for it… really go for it. It manages to cram in as many Shakespearean references as you can imagine and host of classic rock numbers with tongue firmly in cheek.
And despite an initially reticent crowd at the Palace, by the end of the show, everyone was up on their feet joining in the fun .
There doesn’t appear to be a musical talent these cast members don’t have, but there were stand-out performances from Mark Newnham as the long-suffering Cookie, whose guitar solo is just out of this world.
And Sarah Scowen also impresses as the virgin and would-be homecoming queen, Miranda.
The show runs till Saturday. So if you need cheering up after the election … see it.
Bill Kenwright’s revival of the Lloyd-Webber and Rice classic is a truly visually stunning spectacle and the impact of those timeless songs is certainly helped by an amazing set featuring imposing carved pillars and a huge crown of thorns.
Glenn Carter looked comfortable in the role of Jesus, as indeed he should – having played the part on stage and screen for many years.
Tim Rogers seemed to be struggling vocally at times when trying to deliver those all-important songs from the emotionally tortured Judas. However, he did recover after the interval for his big number.
The biggest disappointment for many fans was the absence of X Factor finalist Rhydian Roberts, due to play Pontius Pilate, but understudy, Jonathan Tweedie did great job standing in for .
Other performances worthy of note were fellow X Factor star Rachel Adedeji, as Mary Magdelene, and the wonderful Cavin Cornwall as Caiaphas.
And Manchester lad Tom Gilling also impressed delivering the the show-stopping King Herod song
The jokes were corny, the songs were ancient and the story was outrageously unfeasible… and I loved it!
With stunning sets lavish costumes and of course, those toe-tapping tunes, Anything Goes got the audience enthralled right from the start.
Based on the story by PG Wodehouse and Guy Bolton and brought up to date by Timothy Crouse and John Weidman with those timeless classic songs by Cole Porter, this production will have any audience wanting more.
With an impressively strong cast there were some stand-out performances from Matt Rawle as the love-lorn ruined stockbroker Billy Crocker and Debbie Kurup, who gave it everything in her renditions of those great songs, as the showgirl Reno Sweeney.
The show tells the story of Crocker who stows away on the SS American to pursue the love of his life Hope Harcourt (Zoe Rainey) engaged to Lord Evelyn Oakleigh (Stephen Matthews).
Shaun Williamson (aka Barry from Eastenders) also impresses as the gangster Moonface Martin who delivers some otherwise cringe-worthy lines with excellent comic timing.
This is a perfect antidote to the current doom and gloom we’re all having to put up with. If you go into the show glum, you will come out with a smile on your face.
So get your glad-rags on, find your sea legs and get on board the SS American for what is undoubtedly the best show in town at the moment.
Runs till Saturday April 18
