Welcome to Directions
Theatre Arts School & College

published Date: 01 October 2009

By Gay Bolton, DERBYSHIRE TIMES

A standing ovation was fitting testament to the community spirit shown by performance arts students and their teachers in bringing a feelgood musical from the page to the stage.

The hero worship from parents and friends crowned Directions Theatre Arts' first-night presentation of Footloose at the Pomegranate, Chesterfield, yesterday (Wednesday).

With four roles re-cast due to sickness, the pressure was on the troupe to pull off the best show they could - and they didn't disappoint.

Electric dancing, stunning harmonies and magnetic interplay between characters created enough energy to light up the whole of the town.

Lewis Rowland in the lead role of Ren played the all-American hero to the hilt and commanded the stage with each appearance, from his confident delivery of speeches and songs to awesome gymnastics.

Melissa Lye shone like the brightest star in the sky with fabulous singing, dancing and acting throughout her musical swansong with the company.

James Wilson milked the laughs as the hick from the sticks Willard and Rachel Churm as his girlfriend Rusty gave a powerful performance of the show-stopping Let's Hear It For The Boy.

A big shout-out for Jessica Spanier who stepped into the role of the minister's wife at short notice and proved a talented all-rounder.
Her opposite number Chris Heathcote, who played the clergyman, stood out as an impressive vocalist and actor in some of the most poignant scenes of the show.

If you want to cut loose and catch Footloose, get your skates on because it's only running until Saturday, October 3.

 

Ren & Ariel in Harmony

 

 

 

 

 

Ren & Ariel First Kiss

 

 

 

 

THE CHURCH SCENE