Youthful energy and optimism – the themes of eighties’ musical, ‘Footloose’ – were delivered in spades by St Joseph’s College students for their three performances of the show at the Riverside Theatre, Woodbridge.
The fast-moving production, peppered with hits, including ‘Let’s Hear it for the Boy’ and ‘Holding Out for a Hero,’ began and ended with the irresistible strains of the title song. From the outset, the plot unfolded towards the heart-warming outcome.
New boy in town meets girl, boy wins over the town’s kids, he and the girl lead fight against local ordinance prohibiting dancing, adults realise dancing lifts the spirits and joy breaks out all around. It was a simple plot, perhaps, but it gave scope to unstoppable dance action throughout.
The 45 students taking part on stage – there were many more with behind-the-scenes roles – were drawn from Year 7 through to Upper Sixth, both seasoned performers in and out of St Joseph’s and newcomers. All threw themselves into the production and the result was an exuberant two hours’ entertainment for families and friends.
Among the cast were some stand-out performers, including Grace (Y10) as Ari, Oscar (Y11) as Ren and Lower Sixth student Demi, who played Rev Shaw. Josh (U6) and Lily (Y10) achieved the loudest laughs, playing Willard and Betty Blast respectively.
Grace might well have sung another song of the era, Sister Sledge’s ‘We are Family’ as she was joined in the production by her own sisters, Eva and Eliza. ‘We are family, I got all my sisters with me’ as the song says.
That said, ‘we are family’ is something of a motto for St Jo’s as a whole.
Mrs Clarke, Principal of St Joseph’s College agreed. ‘The skill and ambition of our students are highlights of our annual musical productions, but so too is the genuine warmth with which they are received by all members of the audience.’
This year’s cast received a fantastic boost before curtain-up when former St Jo’s student Mariam Pope, currently appearing in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, sent a message of best wishes. Her West End castmates also offered a ‘break a leg’ and there was even a message from Harry Potter himself!
Explore more about Performing and Visual Arts at St Jo's here.
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