BWW Previews: Primeiro Acto ETM's production of FOOTLOOSE at Centro Cultural Da Malaposta

It has been several years since the time it was hard to find Musical Theatre training in Portugal. AMVP (Academia de Música Vilar do Paraíso), from where many amazing artists came from, paved the way to a series of Musical Theatre schools all across the country. Nowadays, we are getting used to see new school productions every season, each of them more ambitious than the other. However, there is a school group that needs to be mentioned because of its bold choices: Primeiro Acto's ETM (Estúdio de Teatro Musical - Musical Theatre Studio). ETM is not a theatre group only for the school's students. Instead, it holds open call auditions - and maybe that is one of the reasons that makes it an interesting project. They join people from different backgrounds, ages and skill sets, ending with a diverse group that is able to create surprising results.

Their new production is an adaptation of FOOTLOOSE, with a cast of 42 people between the ages of 12 and 40 years old. The reason behind the choice of this musical was the will to change the way people see it. According to the director, André Lourenço, FOOTLOOSE is always thought as "a musical where everyone dances just because it is fun" and the truth is that the dance in this musical means way much more than meets the eye. André Lourenço wanted to showcase this musical in a different light and this was his opportunity. Alongside with Rogério Maurício, Ignez Pereira da Silva and Rodrigo Dias, he embarked in an adaptation journey where keeping close proximity to the original version was the main goal. Therefore, there was a special attention regarding rhyming schemes, meter and even phonetics, resulting in a fluid and genuine sound.

If you want to relive the emotions you felt the first time you've seen this musical or even if you've never seen it, FOOTLOOSE will be at Centro Cultural da Malaposta from the 28th until the 30th of June. Additionally, its cast and team will sing some of the musical numbers live, at FNAC Colombo for a small showcase on the 3rd of June.

For more info you can also visit their instagram page or buy your tickets online here.