Inverness Musical Theatre present stage version of 80s hit film Footloose

AFTER the success of musicals like 9 To 5, and The Wizard of Oz, Inverness Musical Theatre wanted to follow up with something spectacular for this year’s show.

As their recent successes had all been stage adaptions of popular films, they decided Footloose might be a good choice with dancing, 80s classics and cowboy hats and a rocking live band under the direction of Susan Munro.

As well as names familiar to the Inverness musical theatre scene, such as Alasdair Davidson as Ren McCormack, the dance-loving leading man played by Kevin Bacon in the popular film, and Alan Macleod who plays dance-hating Reverend Shaw Moore, there are many new faces on the stage too from Wednesday, March 20.

Morna Eadie is in the role of minister Shaw’s wife Vi, singing the heart-wrenching Can You Find It In Your Heart?.

Olivia Payne plays the Shaws’ daughter, Ariel and sings the showstopping number Holding Out For a Hero.

And another new face to the lead roles is Poppy Charteris who plays Rusty, lead on one of the musical’s most famous songs – Let’s Hear It For The Boy.

Poppy is taking her first major lead role in this production as Rusty.

She said: “Footloose is not my first time performing at Eden Court – I was in IMT’s last production, The Wizard of Oz.

“But this is the first time I’ll be playing a role as large as this!

“The most challenging part of playing her for me has been singing because the songs in Footloose were hits in the 80s which makes singing them a big responsibility and quite daunting.”

Poppy feels that for the audience the appeal of Footloose is simple.

“I believe the best thing about Footloose will be the music and songs that instantly bring you back to the 80s and make you want to dance in your seat!”

Inverness Musical Theatre presents Footloose The Musical from Wednesday to Saturday, March 20 to 24.