THEARTE lovers are being invited to cut loose and kick off their Sunday shoes by the Basingstoke Amateur Theatre Society (BATS).

From November 13 to November 25 the group will bring the famous rock ‘n' roll musical Footloose to the Haymarket.

Based on the 1984 film starring Kevin Bacon, Footloose features classic ‘80s hits including Holding Out for a Hero, Let's Hear It For The Boy, Almost Paradise and the unforgettable title track, Footloose.

The story focuses on , teenager Ren McCormack (played by Luke Sayers) who when moving to Chicago discovers dancing and rock music are illegal there.

For 19-year-old Sayers, this will be his first lead role in a BATS production.

He said: ““I never saw the whole film before auditioning. I think I watched maybe half of it before, but I didn’t really know it at all.

“I was persuaded to audition and I thought, “oh well, I’ve got nothing to lose” – and here I am playing my first lead role for BATS.”

Since being cast Sayers’ has to get up to speed fast, adding: “Ren is a troubled young man. His dad walked out so his mum has moved them from Chicago to this town in the middle of nowhere.

“He hates it as there’s no excitement and dancing is a crime! But he’s got a lot of passion, he’s very driven, and that causes conflict – especially with the priest who sees him as a big threat.”

With a live rock ‘n’ roll band, exuberant dance routines and the fervour of teen rebellion, Footloose will certainly bring the feelgood factor to the Haymarket this November.

Directed and choreographed by Martyn Knight, leading man Sayers will be joined by Rhianon Mone playing Ariel, Liam Brelsforth as Willard and Reverend Moore is played by Stephen Westwood with Sally Manning as his wife Vi.

Footloose is at the Haymarket, from Wednesday 15-Saturday, 25 November. Performances at 7.30pm with extra 2.30pm shows on Saturday 18 and 25.

For more information and tickets visit anvilarts.org.uk or call 01256 844244.