Curtain Call made toes tap and two-step their way to Shanklin Theatre with their youth production of “Footloose”. 

Adapted from the cult 1984 movie, it faithfully captured the youthful energy and redemption from grief that gave the original such presence in pop culture. A talented young cast and chorus inhabited their roles ably, and the show contained the all too familiar slickness and pace an island audience have come to expect from Curtain Call.

Despite a very speedy pre-production timetable of a week, the performers scarcely missed a beat in the fast dance numbers, and the singing sounded polished across the board.

Some notable stand outs include Jake Eastman as Ren McCormack, who was well cast as a young Kevin Bacon. He really captured Ben’s natural gift of the gab and had a natural presence that drew you to him.

Lucy Aitken really let her voice and vocal control shine in her solos as Ariel, the daughter of Reverend Shaw, while Noah Walker- Green loved every minute onstage playing Willard, Ren’s loveable hillbilly best friend. The previous mentioned Reverend was portrayed by Tyler Nihell with confidence and aplomb.

Ellen Careless added another surefire assured and attention focused performance to her already impressive list of roles. Vi Moore, played by Matilda Squibb; Maddie Cox as Ren’s mum Ethel, and a roughneck looking cowpoke called Chuck, portrayed by Freddie Nixon all helped fill out the main cast with accomplished performances.

The chorus featured in a multitude of fun and quirky character roles, all helping to tell the tale of a small town learning to move on from tragedy, and embrace energy and fun.

Director Katie Walker-Green along with the musical director Miriam Walker and choreographer Louis Harris alongside the rest of an impressive team of island talent proved that time constraints are mere speed bumps when you have such a group of creative people.

A well done to all, I’m still tapping my feet now!