Leigh Operatic and Drama Society
present
Footloose
The Palace Theatre, Westcliff
22 -25th October 2014
present
Footloose
The Palace Theatre, Westcliff
22 -25th October 2014
It doesn’t take me long to realise that the LODS’ production of Footloose is going to be about as professional as they come here in Southend. The church hall in Leigh on Sea, where LODS rehearse, has 2 separate spaces for them to practice and as I enter the building even the lobby is being used as around 6 or 7 girls are going over a dance routine together. In the downstairs hall another routine is being choreographed and upstairs in the main rehearsal space, I find yet another scene being choreographed by Artistic Director, Sallie Warrington and accompanied by the Musical Director, Rachael Blunkett. All of the scenes I happen to catch sight of already look pretty well polished but Sallie insists that we don’t video anything just yet because she wants to make sure that what we do eventually record will be as spot on as it will be show week. I get the impression that Sallie must be quite a perfectionist and the word on the street is that she has a rather impressive reputation amongst the musical theatre groups within the Southend area; one she obviously would like to keep and build upon. She is certainly a very sought after Artistic Director and choreographer, for not only has she been involved with LODS’ shows, she has also been associated with Little Theatre Company, Southend Operatic and Dramatic Society and numerous other groups outside of the area, both within the amateur dramatic community and also professionally.
Sallie tells me that she is absolutely loving being Artistic Director for Footloose. She particularly embraces productions that she’s never directed or choreographed before. “Footloose,” she tells me, “has been an enormous yet enjoyable challenge, especially with having such a huge chorus who I’ve tried to place in every scene. I like to treat everyone fairly but different members of the group obviously have varying dance skills and so I’ve had to utilise each person’s capabilities.”
Also, from what I spy, Sallie is a very hands on director; walking around the actors and checking views from an audiences perspective. The audience is something that she always has in mind when devising her choreography. She will sit down with pen and paper and picture the dance scenes in her head and then bring that to the rehearsal. This process, she tells me, can take anything up to 4 hours. She then works with her performers and, if she’s done her homework right, watches her ideas and thoughts come to fruition.
It’s this sort of dedication that gives the cast a huge amount of respect for Sallie and I wonder whether having such a formidable director can be intimidating for the cast? Ollie Gourley who is playing Ren, the male lead, says that Sallie has been a fantastic director and really taken the time to help him with his dancing. Anyone who is familiar with the show will know that the part of Ren needs to have some pretty good dancing skills and Ollie tells me that dancing really wasn’t his forte despite being a member of LODS since 2009 and being involved in many of their productions. Sallie has put paid to that and whipped him into shape and he says that he has now gone from having practically two left feet to being really rather nifty! This, all thanks to Sallie’s patience and also, he says, to Gemma Cohen who plays Ariel, Ren’s love interest in the show. Gemma has been in LODS since 2010 and this will be her first ‘leading lady’ role. She has lots of dancing experience having been a student at Whitehall and Tiffany’s Performing Arts schools in the past. Playing Ariel is almost a dream come true for Gemma as when I ask her what her favourite part to play would be, she says, “ I’ve always wanted to play Ariel, ever since I saw Footloose in the West End when I was at college.”
Longstanding LODS member and Vice Chairman, Peter Brown, plays the part of Reverend Shaw Moore and he’s really enjoying playing the misunderstood preacher. I ask him what he thinks is the main appeal of the show. “I think the fact that it has a huge amount of energy. There are lots of pop songs in it from the 80s that I’m sure people will remember, some real toe tappers; and it’s also pretty funny. People of all ages will enjoy it.” he assures me.
Tori Williams, Rebecca Wallace and Natalie McMillan play Ariel’s friends, Rusty, Urleen and Wendy Jo and all three cannot wait for show week.
“As soon as I hear the overture playing, I start to get butterflies.” Tori tells me and Natalie says she’ll probably get excited when she’s in front of the dressing room mirror and doing her hair and makeup.
I’m lucky enough to be able to watch one of the songs, Mama Says, being performed by some of the guys in the cast. It’s not a song that I’m familiar with but it really makes me chuckle and it sounds amazing.
You get the sense that LODS is a real hands on Society. There are plenty of non-acting members around on the night that I visit, watching and supporting the cast and there’s a real family feel to the atmosphere.
So, what’s Footloose all about then? When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, Ren is prepared for the adjustment to his new high school. What he isn't prepared for are the local laws - including a ban on dancing - which are the brainchild of a local preacher bent on exercising control over the town's youths. When the Reverend's rebellious daughter, Ariel, sets her heart on Ren, her boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren's reputation and many of the locals are eager to believe the worst about the new kid. The heartfelt story that emerges is of a father longing for the son he lost and of a young man aching for the father who walked out on him. To the rockin' rhythm of its Oscar and Tony-nominated top 40 score (the soundtrack album reached number one on the Billboard charts and has sold over 15 million copies!) and augmented with dynamic new songs for the stage musical, FOOTLOOSE celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people, guiding them with a warm heart and an open mind.
LODS have been part of the Southend drama scene since 1915, as a result of a concert party organised during the First World War, and have presented shows ranging from grand opera to the avant-garde (including three world amateur premieres) as well as countless entertainments for charitable organisations.
Today LODS continues this tradition, always ready to take a risk in order to offer something new, something exciting, but above all something entertaining. Footloose promises to continue this tradition and I for one suggest that you grab your tickets quickly, get down to The Palace Theatre, ‘kick off your Sunday blues and cut Footloose!”
You can follow LODS on:
Twitter @Official_LODS
Facebook LODS | Leigh Operatic & Dramatic Society
www.southendtheatres.org.uk
Click here for Review
Sallie tells me that she is absolutely loving being Artistic Director for Footloose. She particularly embraces productions that she’s never directed or choreographed before. “Footloose,” she tells me, “has been an enormous yet enjoyable challenge, especially with having such a huge chorus who I’ve tried to place in every scene. I like to treat everyone fairly but different members of the group obviously have varying dance skills and so I’ve had to utilise each person’s capabilities.”
Also, from what I spy, Sallie is a very hands on director; walking around the actors and checking views from an audiences perspective. The audience is something that she always has in mind when devising her choreography. She will sit down with pen and paper and picture the dance scenes in her head and then bring that to the rehearsal. This process, she tells me, can take anything up to 4 hours. She then works with her performers and, if she’s done her homework right, watches her ideas and thoughts come to fruition.
It’s this sort of dedication that gives the cast a huge amount of respect for Sallie and I wonder whether having such a formidable director can be intimidating for the cast? Ollie Gourley who is playing Ren, the male lead, says that Sallie has been a fantastic director and really taken the time to help him with his dancing. Anyone who is familiar with the show will know that the part of Ren needs to have some pretty good dancing skills and Ollie tells me that dancing really wasn’t his forte despite being a member of LODS since 2009 and being involved in many of their productions. Sallie has put paid to that and whipped him into shape and he says that he has now gone from having practically two left feet to being really rather nifty! This, all thanks to Sallie’s patience and also, he says, to Gemma Cohen who plays Ariel, Ren’s love interest in the show. Gemma has been in LODS since 2010 and this will be her first ‘leading lady’ role. She has lots of dancing experience having been a student at Whitehall and Tiffany’s Performing Arts schools in the past. Playing Ariel is almost a dream come true for Gemma as when I ask her what her favourite part to play would be, she says, “ I’ve always wanted to play Ariel, ever since I saw Footloose in the West End when I was at college.”
Longstanding LODS member and Vice Chairman, Peter Brown, plays the part of Reverend Shaw Moore and he’s really enjoying playing the misunderstood preacher. I ask him what he thinks is the main appeal of the show. “I think the fact that it has a huge amount of energy. There are lots of pop songs in it from the 80s that I’m sure people will remember, some real toe tappers; and it’s also pretty funny. People of all ages will enjoy it.” he assures me.
Tori Williams, Rebecca Wallace and Natalie McMillan play Ariel’s friends, Rusty, Urleen and Wendy Jo and all three cannot wait for show week.
“As soon as I hear the overture playing, I start to get butterflies.” Tori tells me and Natalie says she’ll probably get excited when she’s in front of the dressing room mirror and doing her hair and makeup.
I’m lucky enough to be able to watch one of the songs, Mama Says, being performed by some of the guys in the cast. It’s not a song that I’m familiar with but it really makes me chuckle and it sounds amazing.
You get the sense that LODS is a real hands on Society. There are plenty of non-acting members around on the night that I visit, watching and supporting the cast and there’s a real family feel to the atmosphere.
So, what’s Footloose all about then? When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, Ren is prepared for the adjustment to his new high school. What he isn't prepared for are the local laws - including a ban on dancing - which are the brainchild of a local preacher bent on exercising control over the town's youths. When the Reverend's rebellious daughter, Ariel, sets her heart on Ren, her boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren's reputation and many of the locals are eager to believe the worst about the new kid. The heartfelt story that emerges is of a father longing for the son he lost and of a young man aching for the father who walked out on him. To the rockin' rhythm of its Oscar and Tony-nominated top 40 score (the soundtrack album reached number one on the Billboard charts and has sold over 15 million copies!) and augmented with dynamic new songs for the stage musical, FOOTLOOSE celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people, guiding them with a warm heart and an open mind.
LODS have been part of the Southend drama scene since 1915, as a result of a concert party organised during the First World War, and have presented shows ranging from grand opera to the avant-garde (including three world amateur premieres) as well as countless entertainments for charitable organisations.
Today LODS continues this tradition, always ready to take a risk in order to offer something new, something exciting, but above all something entertaining. Footloose promises to continue this tradition and I for one suggest that you grab your tickets quickly, get down to The Palace Theatre, ‘kick off your Sunday blues and cut Footloose!”
You can follow LODS on:
Twitter @Official_LODS
Facebook LODS | Leigh Operatic & Dramatic Society
www.southendtheatres.org.uk
Click here for Review
The cast of Footloose
click on picture to enlarge
click on picture to enlarge
