An enjoyable and energetic production created and performed by very talented Sheffield University students. Rating
Excellent
The Sheffield University Performing Arts Society (SUPAS) is made up of The University of Sheffield students with a shared love of Musical Theatre. The members come from all disciplines and are not studying musical theatre as the university does not offer that course. And that’s rather a shame with talent like this in the alumni.
Footloose is a hit 1984 film which was adapted into a stage musical in 1998. It tells the story of Chicago boy Ren McCormack who moves to a small town where a tragic accident some years earlier resulted in dancing being forbidden. Ren falls for Ariel, the rebellious daughter of Reverend Shaw Moore and together they try to persuade the town that dancing should be permitted again.
Playing Ren is James Laikin who convinces as the angry new boy with a chip on his shoulder. Lucy Ellinor as the defiant Ariel is equally impressive. Both play their roles with confidence and conviction and display strong singing and dancing ability. Bringing plenty of humour is Euan Jones who is perfectly cast as easy-going Willard. He maintains the American drawl perfectly and is clearly enjoying this role. Izzy Woolcott as Rusty has powerhouse vocals and her unstoppable energy make ‘Let’s Hear it for the Boy’ one of the show’s many highlights.
Playing older characters convincingly is a tough ask for a young performer, but Jude Yellop and Ellie Potter are excellent as the Reverend Shaw Moore and his wife Vi. Yellop has an assured delivery and a natural authority in the role. He perfectly captures the conflict he feels between keeping Ariel safe and allowing her to grow. His poignant ‘Heaven Help Me’ is beautifully sung. Potter is simply superb as Vi, she is completely believable in the role and her singing voice is pure and clear. She performs ‘Can You Find It in Your Heart’ with a depth of emotion beyond her years.
All the smaller principal roles are well performed and well sung, there are no weak links in this production. The ensemble singing is strong with excellent harmony work and perfect sound balance. It’s a pet hate of mine when the lyrics and harmonies can’t be heard above the band, which is often an issue with amateur productions, but that never happens here. The harmony lines could always be heard which worked especially well in the energetic ‘Holding Out for a Hero’, the beautifully sung ‘Learning to Be Silent’ and the powerful ‘I’m Free’. There are some very complex songs in this show with intricate counter melodies. They are all sung well so top credit to MD Coby Brown who must have drilled the cast hard. His seven-piece band is on stage throughout in their cowboy hats and sound fabulous.
The set designed by Neha Jakkampudi is simple but effective with lockers to represent the school scenes and a clever kitchen set up for the Moores’ house. The choreography devised by Zara Walton and Stan Smith is varied and interesting, and the cast performs it well. The exuberant finale has the expected Footloose dance, and the energy from the stage is palpable. Director Rory Violet has created a well-balanced, fast-paced production which gets stronger and stronger as it unfolds.
Most amateur companies need to pay professionals for music and technical support, so it’s remarkable that the entire cast and creative team has come from the student body. It’s even more impressive that SUPAS has achieved this level of quality when the membership is constantly changing as existing students graduate and newcomers arrive. This Society is obviously thriving, and it will be exciting to see what comes next.
Stage Adaptation by: Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie
Based on the original screenplay by: Dean Pitchford
Music by: Tom Snow
Lyrics by: Dean Pitchford
Additional Music by: Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman
Directed by: Rory Violet
Choreographed by: Zara Walton, Stan Smith
Musical Direction by: Coby Brown
Production Manager: Grace Imonhimi
Assistant Production Manager: Alicia Adeleye
Set Designed by: Neha Jakkampudi
Costume, Hair and Make-up Designed by: Phoebe Hill
Lighting Designed by: Aggie Bos and Adam Rajczakowski
Sound Engineer: Jack Meads
Footloose plays at The University of Sheffield Drama Studio until Saturday 2 May.
