Dancing up a storm on stage

ON the surface, Footloose is a musical about a town where dancing is against the law. But underneath it is much more. Amidst the fun, the laugher and the dance, Footloose is a story of people who are struggling with deep loss – people searching for belonging, acceptance and most of all forgiveness. This makes Footloose more than just a good night out at the theatre (which it certainly is) but also a show where we see growth and acceptance.

Held every second year, the senior musical production is a much-loved tradition that showcases the creativity, dedication and talent of students. Previous hits have included Shrek and The Addams Family, with each show drawing strong local support from the Mount Gambier community.

Director and Drama Teacher Andy Ahrens brings a wealth of experience to St Martins, having directed numerous productions in Adelaide, including the award-winning Sweeney Todd, Les Misérables, Jesus Christ Superstar, Seussical, and Urinetown. He was also the inaugural director of the 24-Hour Show, where a full musical (South Pacific) was announced, cast, rehearsed, and performed in just one day. His final show in Adelaide before moving to Mount Gambier as a teacher was Songs for a New World, which starred Meg Tucker. Now serving as the Vocal Director for Footloose, Meg reunites with Andy for this production – a collaboration he’s especially thrilled about.

Footloose marks Andy’s seventh senior musical at St Martins, with his first being Little Shop of Horrors back in 2013. “There is something special about doing a musical with a school – they are loads of fun!” says Andy. “Young people have a sense of energy and wonder, and they always rise to expectations. We will have around 50 students working as cast, crew, orchestra and in other roles such as costumes and makeup.”

Starring in Footloose is Christopher Mossford-Macgregor as Ren, the Chicago boy who moves south to the non-dancing town of Bomont. Christopher has made the transition to the stage, having previously been a trumpeter in the orchestra. Joining him, Lauren Agnew returns after her deathly wonderful performance as Morticia in The Addams Family. Lauren plays the rebellious Ariel, a teenager trapped in a town full of rules and expectations. She is supported by her teenage friends, Rusty (Paegan Collins), Urleen (Asha Baker) and Wendy-Jo (Eleanor Doyle).

Also returning from playing roles in The Addams Family are Jacob Halleday who plays Willard, the not-so-smart lad with a heart of gold, and Joshua Tilley who plays Shaw, the feared Reverend, who simply wants the best for his family and community.

Footloose looks largely at the dynamic between parents and children. The stakes can be high as teenagers try to break away from their parents’ grasp and parents try to hold them back in protection from the world. And yet, in the jostling of it all, the most powerful force always seems to be some form of love.

Based on the hit 1984 film, Footloose the Musical opened on Broadway in 1998, running for two years and 709 performances. The film’s iconic soundtrack, which reached #1 in Australia, includes killer 80s hits like Footloose, Let’s Hear It For the Boy, Holding Out for a Hero, and Almost Paradise – perfect for anyone nostalgic for teased hair, bright colours and slipping into a fresh pair of jeans.

Don’t miss this vibrant and moving production at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre on August 14 and 15 at 7pm. It promises to be an entertaining and emotional night, showcasing the incredible talent and hard work of St Martins students. Tickets will be available closer to the date through the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre.