Flashdance the Musical - Nottingham

Reviewed By: John Shawcroft

Energetic, fast-paced and feisty, the Cinderella tale of Flashdance – The Musical exploded on the Royal Concert Hall stage this week in Nottingham.

If the story is straightforward – Alex (Victoria Hamilton-Barritt), a steelworker by day and exotic dancer by night in Pittsburgh, dreams of joining the prestigious Shipley Dance Academy – the content is packed with pretty well everything that life can throw at you.

Alex faces a struggle against the economic background of the 1980s – no change there then – and, underneath all the attitude, fears the dance academy is a dream too far for a teenager of her background.

Her mother, heavy-smoking Hannah (Bernie Nolan) faces moments of frustration when dealing with a headstrong, 18-year-old daughter, but is determined to help her realise her dream.

There are some beautifully worked mum and daughter moments, including a couple of duets and former Coro star Bruno Langley, as the delinquent no-good Jimmy Kaminsky, also excels.

And there is a lovely performance from Ruthie Stephens as Gloria, both in song (The Long Way Home) and dance, a best-friend rescued from a life of pending sleaze.

Toss in the closure of Hurley's Steel Mill as the work goes overseas, armed robbery, murder, drugs and a bit of sex and you have a pretty accurate idea of Alex's background

But love finds a way and, by the time the iconic What a Feeling signifies the climax, it is evident all will be well.

A strong cast makes the most of the choreography by Arlene Phillips but the show really belongs to the leggy, dark-haired Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, who is outstanding – strong voice, superb moves and excellent rapport with the collection of steelworkers, dancers and dodgy characters who inhabit her world.

© Eastwood & Kimberley Advertiser, 16/1/09

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