FOOTLOOSE, the Broadway stage musical based on the 1980s film, visits Southampton's Mayflower Theatre later this month, as part of a national tour prior to its West End transfer.

Starring Stephen McGann, Cheryl Baker and Johnny Shentall, this fast-paced musical is full of youthful spirit, dazzling dance routines and classic songs such as Holding Out For a Hero and Let's Hear It For the Boy.

The story follows the tribulations of small-town Beaumont where all dancing is banned. But this is set to change with the arrival of charismatic, free-spirited and dance mad city boy, Ren, who plans to get the whole town on its feet again.

Stephen McGann, one of the Liverpool acting clan of four brothers, takes the role of Reverend Shaw Moore, the anti-dancing preacher who needs to be won over.

"I control the moral make-up of the town," he explains.

"If Reverend Shaw says no', then the town has to follow suit. Sadly, my character lost his son, some years before, which goes some way to explaining his views.

"Ren's arrival in this mid-west town triggers a lot of things. The musical is actually about people moving on from tragedy and how it is not a sin to dance and have fun."

Footloose comes hot on the heels of Stephen McGann's appearance in the West End farce, Tom, Dick and Harry, where he appeared with two of his brothers, Joe and Mark, throughout last summer.

"Although this is my third theatre show in a run, each one has been delightfully different," he says.

"When you do farce, it is technically demanding. Farce is about trying to deliver your lines at exactly the right time, very interesting and great fun to do.

"One of the wonderful things about my job is keeping an open mind and following a farce with a musical means there are different faculties to be used, such as singing and dancing.

"I haven't sung for a long time though am thoroughly enjoying the challenge."

The last time all four McGann brothers acted together was in 1994. "It's a nightmare trying to schedule us all together - we all have such different commitments - but who knows for the future," he adds saying, "this job is a strange one."

Footloose is at the Mayflower, Southampton from January 23 to 28 and tickets are available from the ticket hotline on 023 8071 1811.