Following two critically acclaimed tours and huge popular demand, FOOTLOOSE The Musical is back and better than ever! Touring the UK until August, and at the New Theatre in Cardiff all this week.
TV star and musical theatre favourite DARREN DAY joins the cast of the tour as Rev. Moore and we caught up with him to find out a little more about the tour and his role in the show.
We also spoke to SARA PERKS who worked as designer on this production. Actually, Sara has designed something like 250 productions over the years has been nominated for Broadway World Awards, a Whats On Stage Award and an Offies Award. She holds an Edinburgh Fringe First; The John Elvery Theatre Design Award and a Vision Design (Costume) Award from the BBC.
Darren, you’re on the road in Footloose The Musical how does it feel to be back on tour?
“We were about to go into rehearsals for Footloose when the Pandemic hit and the tour was rescheduled a few times before dates were set for our 2022 opening, almost a full two years later than originally planned and it is amazing to be back out there with the show.
2020 was devastating for us all. But coming out of the other end things have really started moving quickly for me. Having not been able to perform during the pandemic, going back on stage and being part of a big musical feels so magical, in the way it felt when I landed the role of Joseph at the Palladium at the beginning of my career.
I recently finished the UK tour of Chicago which was brilliant and during that tour I saw a genuine thirst for live theatre so couldn’t be more delighted than to move straight into another tour with Footloose.
In all of my years as a performer in Musical Theatre I don’t think I have jumped straight from one tour into another… I feel very lucky.”
Sara has designed both the both the costumes and the set for this brand-new production. What is the process of making this happen?
“A designer’s process follows a set of deadlines really. I discuss the needs and wants of the production with producers and the director initially, then filtering in what the choreographer, musical director and lighting designer would like to achieve.
All of this along with my own creative reaction to the piece results in a preliminary design – a ‘white-card’ model box which is a scale model of the proposed design at 1:25, with technical drawings. This is then commented upon by the creative team and producers and roughly costed, because of course there is a budget attached to every production that needs to be considered as well.
I would then take the design and model to the next stage – a final. This would be in full colour with all the chosen finishes and renders. This is then costed and signed off precisely.
An independent scenic workshop is selected on tender to build. From that point I work between them, the production manager, the rest of the creative team and rehearsals to try to ensure everything is on track, and make sure information and alterations proceeds as required”
Just in case you don’t know much about the story, we got Darren to tell us about the show…….
“This production of Footloose is particularly a special, even if you have seen it before you will want to see it again… and this new version will blow you away. It’s been reworked with a new set, new costumes. The lot.
Racky Plews, who’s directing, has brought an edgy and exciting new take on the show. She’s been working closely with the writer of the original movie and songs, Dean Pitchford and his input into this new production has been invaluable.
The cast and the whole team on this are truly ‘the cream of the crop’ a really gifted bunch of performers. Acting, singing, dancing and playing instruments throughout the show.”
And what about your role as the Reverend?
“I’m so happy to be playing the Reverend. Over a decade ago I met with the producers for Footloose and Chicago within about three months of each other. I was told I didn’t look old enough! So … the only downside of me playing these two roles back-to-back is that I must now look ‘old enough!!’
Since those meetings all those years ago Billy Flynn and the Reverend have been on my bucket list of roles I desperately wanted to play, so to get the opportunity to play them both in one year is incredibly exciting for me and I feel deeply grateful.
Having a teenage daughter myself (in real life!) I have a lot of ‘method’ experience to draw upon! It’s tough letting your ‘little princess’ out into the big bad world!”
It’s a big cast, and that means a lot of costumes, how many precisely Sara?
“After we got past 80+ we stopped counting!
When we started the process (over 2 years ago – a small thing called a pandemic got in the way!) the restyling 80s retro look was very in vogue.
We looked at shows like Stranger Things and 2 years later – Sex Education, in the way that they are clearly 80s but restyled with a modern eye, and not completely slavish to period. It was all about looking cool and right for character.
However I’m old enough to the remember the film when it came out and was the same age as the characters in the 80s so my own experience went to some of the costume and hair inspiration!
In regard to the set the inspiration for it really is the classic iron rivetted bridges that you find all over America spanning rivers and gorges. Like the Potanwey bridge that is mentioned by Ariel in relation to her brother. The Williamsburg bridge in New York is another example.
The bridge and town limits are central to the plot of the show and why the town of Bomont is under restrictions on socialising, so it seemed a good metaphor to use as a frame for the whole concept.”
We all have our favourite Footloose moment, but we wondered what Darren’s favourite moment in the live show is…..
“I guess one of my favourite moments in the show is my solo song ‘Heaven Help Me’ It’s a brilliant tune with beautifully written lyrics. Also the poignant moments with the Reverend’s daughter are lovely to play – and the revelations that happen to him.
My favourite moment in the rehearsal room was when I sat and watched the cast perform the opening number of the title song. I got goosebumps and thought to myself if this is how it feels in a rehearsal room the way it’s going to feel with a set, costumes and on a stage with an audience will be breath-taking.”
And for Sara we guess it has to be a favourite costume?
“I love Wendy-Jo’s yellow jumpsuit; and there are several great classic 80s prom dresses in purple; green and cerise, but I think the Rev’s white sequin jacket for the mega mix would have to be the favourite. And Darren Day wears it so well!
There is a bit of a ‘surprise’ in the show – I won’t give it away completely – but it always go down a storm with audiences so we decided to keep it in for this new production. For me it’s the highlight of the show!”
If you’re planning to head to the New Theatre and watch Footloose in 80s costume style, who better to help us create the perfect outfit than designer Sara…..
“It’s not just a pair of legwarmers or neon socks. You could choose to go full ‘cowboy’ and join in with some line dancing at the ‘bbq’ at the start of the 2nd half; or grab a taffeta block colour party dress or ra-ra skirt for the prom. If you want a more tailored look a velvet or sequin tux with jeans would fit right in as well.”
FOOTLOOSE gets to the New Theatre in Cardiff from Monday 30th May through to Saturday 4th June. Performances are at 7:30pm each evening with a 2:30pm matinee on Wednesday and Saturday. There’s a whole range of ticket prices and a variety of concessions. For more details, and to get yours, go HERE.
And you can check out our show feature HERE.
