28 June - 13 July 2014
Musical

Directed by Themi Venturas, this stage version of the hit movie Footloose, tells the story of a tenacious and rebellious city teenager, Ren, who moves to a small town where rock music and dancing have been banned by the conservative Rev Shaw and the town council. He leads the young people of the town in a protest against the town’s banning of the annual dance.

Footloose has had two incarnations as a feature film: in 1984 a youthful Kevin Bacon was Ren, and when the film was remade in 2011 it featured Kenny Wormald.  Footloose, the Musical, was adapted for the stage from the film, and premiered in 1998, becoming a Broadway and West End hit. It has been staged successfully globally since then. Footloose boasts some now-iconic musical numbers:  the theme song, Footloose,  which became a hit for Kenny Loggins; Holding out for a Hero, which was recorded by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler for the first film; and Let’s Hear it for the Boy which became a number one song for Denise Williams. Other songs from the musical include On Any Sunday; The Girl Gets Around, Somebody’s Eyes, Heaven Help me and Learning to be Silent. 

The 2014 Young Performers Project sees Themi Venturas at the helm once more, together with Daisy Spencer (Choreographer) and Des Govender (Vocal Coach), who also all worked together on former YPP productions, Hairspray and Legally Blonde.  Joining them for the first time as Musical Director is Luke Holder who successfully collaborated with Venturas in the acclaimed production of Man of La Mancha at the Catalina Theatre and the National Arts Festival.

Spearheaded by PANSA (the Performing Arts Network of South Africa: KZN, the project ensures that high school learners get a taste of working in the professional musical theatre arena. The project promotes discipline, develops confidence, and offers an opportunity to make life-long friendships, and to learn a huge amount from the professionals involved.  PANSA is grateful to the Department of Arts and Culture of the Province of KZN who have agreed to support the project for the next three years. Gracious thanks too to sponsors RCL Foods (Rainbow Chicken); Business and Arts South Africa (BASA); Black Coffee and the UKZN Sneddon Theatre for wonderful technical support.

The show will run at the UKZN Sneddon Theatre from 28 June until 13 July. Booking is through Computicket outlets at Shoprite Checkers, by phone on 0861 915 8000 or online at www.computicket.com.