This afternoon I spoke to actor Bruno Langley, who's heading for Manchester soon thanks to his role as 'bad boy' Jimmy in Flashdance: The Musical.

Bruno was in great form, and was really enthusiastic about the show, which is based on the cult 1984 movie about a beautiful young welder who dreams of becoming a serious dancer.

The production, which also stars Noel Sullivan, Bernie Nolan and Victoria Hamilton-Baritt, features songs from the film like Maniac and Flashdance: What A Feeling and 10 new numbers written especially for the show.

It's these new songs that 25-year-old Bruno believes marks out Flashdance as something a bit different than the current spate of jukebox and movie-to-musical productions.

He said: "People who've seen the show say it is a cut above.

"The audiences are really enjoying it."

"Bernie Nolan has an amazing voice and Victoria, who plays Alex, is a big rising star. She is going to be big, she's absolutely amazing."

He added that at the weekend performances some audience members are coming decked out in 80s-style leotards, headbands and of course, the slash-neck sweatshirt made famous by the movie.

"It's like that Call On Me video" laughs Bruno, who says he "moves" rather than dances in the show.

Bruno admits that he can be a bit of a show-off ("you can't be shy and retiring on stage"), and that taking a singing role for the first time didn't worry him, saying "I come from a musical family and I've always been singing."

Bruno is looking forward to Flashdance's stop in Manchester, from September 8 to 13, and told me that in lots of ways he considers the city a home from home.

He said: "It will be lovely to be in Manchester.

"I love the city and have lots of fond memories of my time on Coronation Street."

© One Blog More, 26/8/08

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