Flashdance the Musical
Theatre Royal Brighton – Mon 9 – Sat 14 Apr
Flashdance the Musical
Theatre Royal Brighton – Mon 9 – Sat 14 Apr
The Eighties are back in all of their neon tinted glory, and there’s nothing like an upbeat musical to please 21st century audiences. Flashdance the Musical is a real feelgood crowd-pleaser which says what it does on the tin of a the same genre as Dirty Dancing , Hairspray, Footloose . It’s been almost ten years since its last tour and the musical, written by Tom Hedley, Robert Cary and Robbie Roth, has all the pulling power of the original film with the bonus of a great cast.
The well known storyline of Flashdance is of a Pittsburgh factory worker and welder extraordinaire, Alex Owens, who dreams of a better life filled with dance. She’s a sassy female who holds her own in a man’s world with lots of barriers to overcome to achieve her dream. No-one is really there for the plot though in all fairness. Audiences who buy tickets are there for those big song and dance classics everyone remembers from the movie ( Maniac, Gloria and What A Feeling) and the show does not disappoint.
As Alex Owens, Joanne Clifton is extremely well cast in the lead role. We knew from her Strictly background she could dance, but she is also vocally talented and gives the performance her all. Ben Adams (ex A1 band member) as Nick Hurley, is incredible with his impeccable vocals and pretty good dance moves. When Clifton and Adams sing together it’s as close to perfection as you will get, their duets of ‘Here and Now’ and ‘Hang On’ are sublime and their lovers’ chemistry is truly believable…
The ensemble dancers really take the limelight with their boundless energy showcased in powerful routines choreographed by Matt Cole and the reprise is perfectly uplifting. Flashdance The Musical takes all the best parts of the well-loved movie and adds some extra live on stage magic, the audience left singing “ What a feeling “ and felt as though they had seen a great West Endworthy show.
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Reviewer: Sandra Jenkins
Flashdance the Musical will continue to play at The Theatre Royal Brighton until 14th April 2018