A Day to remember
Footloose The Musical is touring the UK until August, and is visiting Venue Cymru later on this month. We met up with star Darren Day to find out more… Following two critically acclaimed tours and huge popular
What do you think keeps Footloose so fresh and keeps
demand, Footloose The Musical is back and better than ever! TV
audiences coming back for more?
star and musical theatre favourite Darren Day joins the cast of
The great thing about Footloose which I think separates it from
the tour as Rev. Moore and we caught up with him to find out a
other ‘jukebox’ shows is that Dean Pitchford wrote the songs
little more about the tour and his role in the show…
specifically for the movie. So, not only are these songs instantly recognisable the second the intro to them begins, they also
You’re back on the road in Footloose The Musical – how does it feel to be back on tour?
carry the plot forward in a very truthful way. Apologies for that sounding incredibly ‘arty’ and ‘theatrical’ but they do!
We were about to go into rehearsals for Footloose when the Pandemic hit and the tour was rescheduled a few times before
Do you have a favourite moment in the show?
dates were set for our 2022 opening, almost a full two years
I guess one of my favourite moments in the show is my solo
later than originally planned, and it is amazing to be back out
song ‘Heaven Help Me’ It’s a brilliant tune with beautifully
there with the show.
written lyrics. Also the poignant moments with the Reverend’s daughter are lovely to play - and the revelations that happen
2020 was devastating for us all. But coming out of the other end
to him. My favourite moment in the rehearsal room was when
things have really started moving quickly for me. Having not
I sat and watched the cast perform the opening number of the
been able to perform during the pandemic, going back on stage
title song. I got goosebumps and thought to myself if this is
and being part of a big musical feels so magical, in the way it
how it feels in a rehearsal room the way it’s going to feel with
felt when I landed the role of Joseph at the Palladium at the
a set, costumes and on a stage with an audience will be breath-
beginning of my career.
taking.
Can you tell us a little bit about this tour of Footloose?
Finally – why do you think people should come and see
This production of Footloose is particularly a special, even if you
Footloose at Venue Cymru?
have seen it before you will want to see it again… and this new
You are going to have the most incredible night. You’re going
version will blow you away. It’s been reworked with a new set,
to hear songs that are instantly recognisable, and I challenge
new costumes. The lot.
you not to sing along to them. There are big numbers, there’s a beautiful story going on, the cast are ridiculously talented. You’ll
And what about your role as the Reverend?
leave the theatre buzzing after having a very special night out.
I’m so happy to be playing the Reverend. Over a decade ago I
We will have a ball and I can’t wait to see everyone up on their
met with the producers for Footloose and Chicago within about
feet at the end to cut loose! n
three months of each other. I was told I didn’t look old enough! So… the only downside of me playing these two roles back-to-
Footloose The Musical is playing at Venue Cymru from 23rd –
back is that I must now look ‘old enough!!’ Having a teenage
28th May. For full listings visit www.footloose-musical.com,
daughter myself (in real life!) I have a lot of ‘method’ experience
follow on social media @FootlooseTour #EverybodyCutLoose
to draw upon! It’s tough letting your ‘little princess’ out into the
and follow Darren @DarrenDayOfficial for a peek behind the
big bad world!
scenes of the tour!
NWM 2022 Page 19
