Footloose

I was quite prepared to go see this, not enjoy it, give it one star and mark the evening down to experience. I was not prepared for what I actually saw - a real humdinger of a dance show full of great dancing, really good songs beautifully sung and (a shock if you don't know the show) a real story based on a real life "dance free town" and with carefully drawn and well played characters.

Why was I going to be a negative Nancy? Well, I hope that I always approach a show with a reasonably open mind, and if I don't then my wife will usually remind me that I should .... but "dance musical" didn't sound quite my 'bag'. The fact that I thoroughly enjoyed it must mean that my mind was particularly open last night .... prised open by a disarmingly good cast and a great show. Now I understand why this show is so popular ;-)

This really is an ensemble piece in the finest tradition and they all work hard, very hard, to put the show over ... some techie-glitch at the start of last night's performance turned the sound into over-amped mud and for one moment I really did think we were in for a bad night but the cast carried on and I was glad the sound cleaned up as the words really do bear a careful listen.

Who knows, I may even go and rent the DVD now!

Oh, and one parting shot - the stage design was fab, that background cut-out was to die for and always so well lit - in fact the staging itself was a real delight.

Downside - another idiot audience member deciding to read the programme out to their partner during the show .... and everyone leaping to their feet near the end leaving me not so much "standing ovation" as "trying to see" .. heh, small prices to pay for a good night out!