Footloose was the first movie I saw in a proper movie theatre in the Golden Acre Shopping Centre in Cape Town and for many people my age, special memories come to mind if we hear the introduction of the theme song: Been working so hard, I'm punching my card, eight hours for what, oh, tell me what I got... And now, years later these foot stomping songs have caught up with a new generation as DSG and St Andrew's College are performing the theatre production of FOOTLOOSE at the Rhodes Theatre from 9-11 June.
Nicholas Bruce plays the part of Ren, the new boy in town and Kei-Ella Loewe plays Ariel, the girl who turns his head with her red cowboy boots. The director, Bauke Snyman, known to Grahamstown as the writer of the award winning play, Die Bannelinge, has worked closely with the members of the Music department at St Andrew's and DSG to come up with a musical that the whole family will enjoy. The learners will be accompanied by well known, professional musicians. Hermien Potgieter has done the choreography and audiences can be sure to feel a tickle in their feet when they see these dance moves.
The story is set in a small town where dancing is forbidden by the town council because of a horrible accident that happened years ago. When Ren and his mother (Nyasha Kabwato) move to the rural town, he challenges this small town law and encourages the other young people to dance. Audience members will recognise songs like: Let's hear it for the boy, Holding out for a hero and Almost Paradise.
A special performance at 11h00 on Friday, 10 June has been scheduled for the Grahamstown schools and block bookings are welcome. Tickets are available from the St Andrew's College reception or phone Barbara Black after 14h00 at 046 603 2300. Book early to avoid disappointment!
Christa Snyman
http://gallery.saprepschool.com/index.php?/category/231
