EVERYBODY needs to ‘cut loose’ and ‘kick off their Sunday shoes’ every now and then.

Footloose is a story of youthful rebellion and romance and, currently touring the UK, Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie's musical adaptation of the iconic 1984 film starring Kevin Bacon, embodies this spirit of teen defiance perfectly.

With a young cast who sing, dance and play their own instruments, the cult film has been brought to life on the Playhouse stage.

Luke Baker took the leading role as city boy Ren McCormack, who moves to American rural backwater Bomont after his parents split up. His anger and frustrations were well-acted.

Gareth Gates seemed an unlikely choice to me for the part of cowboy Willard, the awkward, slightly dorkish hillbilly who Ren befriends and teaches to dance. But who knew he had such comic talent? He sang, danced and got all the laughs.

There was a chance for adorable Maureen Nolan to display her vocal talent, she played the warm-hearted preacher’s wife Vi and gave a stunning rendition of Learning To Be Silent with brilliant harmonies from Hannah Price, as Ariel, and Nicky Swift, as Ren's mother Ethel.

Hannah as Ariel, and her friends, hit the nail on the head too with their portrayal of the idiosyncrasies of teenage girls' behaviour.

The show featured all the hits from the original 80s film including Holding out for a Hero, Let’s Hear it for the Boy and, of course, Footloose.

Scenes intermingled in this fast-paced production to illustrate the frustrations of the young people wanting to enjoy themselves while being repressed by the older generation.

Praise to director Racky Plews and her creative team, who have captured this timeless story and squeezed it onto a tiny stage.

It was a fun, feel-good production, culminating with a dance-a-long mega-mix, allowing the audience the chance to ‘cut loose’ and get to their feet for a good old boogie.

Footloose continues at Salisbury Playhouse until October.