THE great attraction about stage adaptations of dance-themed films is that audiences don't have to work that hard – the performers on stage do all that.

Flashdance, Fame, Grease - you name it we all leave the theatre with a happy finale.

The tales have a beginning, middle and an end.

This slick Selladoor Production celebrates the popular '80s musical featuring the classic pop songs Holding Out for a Hero, Let's Hear it For the Boy and the rousing title track - Footloose.

This is a remastered Footloose for 2017 directed by Racky Plews.

Its lengthy touring time on the road speaks volumes throughout all of its two and a half hours thanks to a very confident company.

The cast has tons of energy and talent from the opening number to the elongated encore.

They are a versatile crew playing a variety of instruments while putting on fine acting performances.

Our hero Ren (Joshua Dowen) is a Chicago boy who is forced to leave with his mom to a rural backwater – boring Bomont.

Alas, this town has banned dancing and rock music following a fatal car crash when four of its youngsters died.

It's up to Ren to bring back the fun and persuade the Reverand Shaw Moore (Reuven Gershon) and the congregation that it's time to move on, but it's going to be hard preaching to the unconverted.

His wife Vi, played by stage stalwart Maureen Nolan, soars on the emotive Can You Find It in Your Heart.

Matt Cole’s choreography fizzes on Sara Perks set which fits the Court stage like a glove.

And musical director Mark Crossland gets the best out of all his musicians.

The Rev, who sings Heaven Help Me, is dead against dance, but his daughter Ariel is a cheerleader with dreams tells him of his clerical error.

She is a free spirit and also, it seems, a good kisser.

Bomont High also features some feisty gals who were given their own individual cheers from the audience at the end.

Along the way Ren becomes friends with dim-but-nice Willard played by Gareth Gates.

When the singer reveals a skill for dancing and a six-pack under his dungarees he received wild applause from the females.

He has a flair for comedy, too.

Gail Lancaster as Ariel was both gusty and sensitive on opening night which saw the show held up for a while due to a woman being taken in the stalls.

Well done to the Royal Court's front-of-house team.

The super troupers in the show then carried on where they left off to rapturous applause.

A feel good, feisty Footloose.

Four stars - rollicking and rolling until Saturday.

Tickets from the box office on 0151 709 4321