For anyone who hasn't seen the film, it's an easy enough plot - downtown American community has banned dancing in public, and along comes a teenager from Chicago who demands change.

Does he succeed? Watch to find out - but it's not a feel-good production for nothing...

There were plenty of empty seats on the first night, but the cast produced such an energetic production the theatre was buzzing. From Stephen Webb as hero Ren, to the Reverend Shaw Moore, Emmerdale actor Richard Grieve (he plays gay Jonny Foster in the soap) and Nolan Sister Maureen Nolan as the pastor's wife Vi, the cast oozes class.

Simon Lipkin as the hapless, tongue-tied loved-up Willard Hewitt is a revelation, and among the moving scenes there are real laugh-out-loud comic moments.

The dance numbers are bright and breezy, and with songs like Holding Out For A Hero, Let's Hear It For The Boy and, of course, Footloose, there's feet tapping, thigh slapping, hand clapping audience participation galore.

And forget the thought it's a production for youngsters. There were all ages in the audience - and their appreciation rang out long and loud. They could still be playing encores now if it hadn't finished well after 10pm already.

A great night out.

Footloose runs at the Mayflower until Saturday. Box office 023 8071 1811.