Birmingham Post

IT may be based on a 1984 chick flick but the slick stage version of Footloose was a huge hit with everyone – not just the leg warmer wearers.

It’s the all-singing and all-dancing story of Chicago kid Ren McCormack who challenges a small town ban on dancing by winning over the town and the preacher’s daughter Ariel.

The audience favourite was Giovanni Spano who plays Ren’s sidekick and small town hick Willard worryingly well.

Former Busted boy Matt Willis was a crowd pleaser and the superbly choreographed Still Rockin showed off the best of the flawless, and many dizzying dance routines.

Let’s Hear It For The Boy, Holding Out For a Hero and Mama Says went down well and the Footloose finale got everyone on their feet before a mini medley of the shows best songs.

The foot-tapping fun is at the Hippodrome until March 19. Tickets from 0844 338 5000.

VERDICT: HHHHI

NICK McCARTHY