DARLINGTON Operatic Society’s latest production is based on the hit 1980s movie, Footloose, about a small American town where any form of dancing is forbidden by law within the town limits.

Enter Ren McCormack, a troubled teen from Chicago whose father has deserted his mum, forcing her to seek shelter with her sister’s family.

The man behind the dancing ban is the Reverend Shaw Moore and Ren’s determination to overturn the ban, together with his growing relationship with Moore’s feisty daughter Ariel, brings the pair into conflict.

So much for the plot – what’s important is the way this young company explodes onto the stage in an electrifying display of singing and dancing that goes way beyond amateur standard.

How on earth does director and choreographer Joanne Hand manage to tap into the prodigious talent of local people and bring that talent to life to such effect? It’s inspirational, no less.

Everyone gives such a terrific performance that it’s difficult to single anyone out; Julian Cound brings gravitas to the role of the Rev Moore, and Beth Stobbart as his wayward daughter Ariel is lively and appealing. Nick Holmes’ Ren is engagingly believable and his dancing is dynamic.

My personal favourite is the comic turn provided by Ben Connor as Ren’s friend Willard Hewitt, who admits with some embarrassment that he can’t dance. Of course Willard ends up dancing up a storm with the rest.

This is another ambitious production from DOS, and yet again they emerge covered in glory. Footloose continues until tomorrow.

Sue Heath