One year on after this souped-up version of the 1984 teen flick first filled the Alex, Footloose - The Musical is still pulling in the crowds.
Although the young company - particularly Darren Hough (Ren McCormack) and Solihull teenager Lorna Want (Ariel Shaw) - are bursting with energy, the production was sluggish in places.
Footloose, a modern tale of teen angst and rebellion triumphing over authority, seemed ripe to revamp as a musical because it had a hit soundtrack. But to be honest, it doesn't really work.
From the high-energy opening, using Kenny Loggins' original theme tune, the audience was entertained by the fantastic choreography and cast's enthusiasm.
Hough, as the teen rebel forced to relocate from Chicago to the Midwest clearly, revels in his role as the snake-hipped newboy, who leads a campaign to stage a "prom" after discovering dancing is illegal in Beaumont.
While his dancing was electrifying, his vocal performance was somewhat lacklustre, particularly during the duet Almost Paradise, where Want's voice drowned out his singing.
As the central couple, they both sizzled, but mention must also be made of Giovanni Spano, whose comic turn as hapless Williard Hewitt - a cowboy with two left feet and no rhythm - was excellent.
Cheryl Baker (Vi Moore) and Stephen McGann (Rev Shaw Moore) stood firm as moral guardians of the town, clearly situated in America's "Bible Belt", however, their accents did not.
The show's producers couldn't resist ripping off Baker's skirt during the dance finale, in a nice nod to her early days in Bucks Fizz.
Fans of the film will enjoy singing along to the songs, and the uplifting dance routines, but as a film-turned-musical I've seen better.
Footloose - The Musical runs at the Alex until Saturday.
Emma Brady
