Flashdance the Musical - Plymouth

Reviewed By: Su Carroll

It may be a bit of a theatrical cliche, but here goes. Ladies and gentleman, a star is born! Don't just take my word for it, ask the cheering members of the audience who leapt to their feet the moment Victoria Hamilton-Barritt took her curtain call at the end of Flashdance The Musical.

She sings! She dances! She acts... and she's even got a great sense of timing for comedy. As Alex, the steel worker who gyrates in a club by night but yearns to be a serious dancer, she dominates the show from beginning to end.

Luckily the company keep up with her with an incredibly energetic delivery of Arlene Phillips's raunchy and sexy choreography.

Noel Sullivan gives a confident and mature performance as the love interest, Nick, nephew of the steel boss planning to close the foundry, and there's strong support from Bruno Langley as bad boy Jimmy and Bernie Nolan as Alex's mum.

This is a surprisingly modern musical, given it's set in the 80s, with a real passion and energy that proves irresistible. Maniac, Gloria and the anthemic What a Feeling hit the audience right between the eyes in a show that doesn't let up.

Victoria Hamilton-Barritt is a girl whose name will be up in lights in the West End one day... even if they have to widen the theatre to do it! *****

© Western Morning News, 25/7/08

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