David Essex to star in Footloose

Posted on 12 May 2006

The producers of FOOTLOOSE THE MUSICAL are thrilled to announce that DAVID ESSEX will join the cast of the hit musical at the Novello Theatre for three months only from Monday 5th June.

DAVID ESSEX has enjoyed a remarkable career spanning concerts, records, theatre, composing, film and TV. Having shot to fame as Jesus in Godspell, he is known to millions worldwide – not least from his iconic role as Che in Evita. Regularly courted by Hollywood, he has always returned to the UK and has undertaken numerous nationwide sell out solo tours playing to legions of fans. His role in FOOTLOOSE will give eager audiences the opportunity to see him in a West End musical for the first time in 21 years – a much-anticipated return since Mutiny!

The multi-million record selling star of stage and screen will take the role of Reverend Shaw Moore, Bomont’s authority figure who clashes with Ren McCormack, the young outsider who challenges his opinions. DAVID ESSEX plays opposite CHERYL BAKER (BUCKS FIZZ – currently celebrating the 25th anniversary of their legendary, landmark Eurovision win!) who continues in the role of his wife, Vi Moore. FOOTLOOSE has been receiving standing ovations and wowing audiences since it opened in April this year.

Featuring a dynamic young cast, this fast-paced show, directed and choreographed by Olivier award winner KAREN BRUCE (Saturday Night Fever and Fame) is not only packed full of amazing dance but serves up some classic 80s hits, including Holding Out For A Hero, Almost Paradise,

Let’s Hear It For The Boy and of course the unforgettable title track Footloose.

FOOTLOOSE has gone from screen to stage - first on Broadway, two UK tours and now in the West End, with great success. The high-energy dance movie burst onto cinema screens in 1984 starring KEVIN BACON as the young out-of-towner destined to put the beat back into Bomont. This riveting screen sensation took the world by storm with its youthful spirit, dazzling dance and electrifying music. FOOTLOOSE tells the story of city boy Ren who has to move to a rural backwater in America where dancing is banned. All hell breaks out as Ren breaks loose and soon has the whole town on its feet. It was only a matter of time before it became a smash hit stage musical.

Cast also includes JOHNNY SHENTALL (Hear''Say, UK tour Starlight Express, MTV''s Totally Scott-Lee), Ren McCormack as DEREK HOUGH and AMY PEMBERTON as Ariel Moore.

FOOTLOOSE is presented by Mark Goucher, Michael Rose Limited, Tristan Baker and Jason Haigh-Ellery whose productions include Fame, Rent, Saturday Night Fever, Love Shack, Calamity Jane and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Dancing is not a crime. To miss FOOTLOOSE would be…