Footloose, adapted and directed by Lindsey McAlister. Shouson Theatre, Tuesday.
Director Lindsey McAlister's annual Youth Arts Festival, now in its 12th year, once again stamped its mark as a showcase for young talent.
Her bilingual adaptation of Dean Pitchford's Footloose had a lot to live up to. It followed many fine YAF shows - West Side Story, Bugsy Malone and Grease, as well as great Nick Harvey-McAlister originals such as Into the Woods.
As material to work with, Pitchford's stage production isn't a patch on Grease or West Side Story, lacking the passion of the former and blood and guts of the latter.
It is a weak, silly tale of a city boy who sets a backward small town alight by overturning a preacher's unlikely ban on dancing, winning his girl from the bad boy at the same time.
With a two-hour running time, this was probably the longest of McAlister's shows. And given the banale story, it was probably too long for the pupils who have packed matinee shows all week.
There were few memorable songs, the exception being Holding Out For A Hero, but the live music, by Beacon Hill School music teacher Scott Gibson and his band, could not be faulted.