Flashdance the Musical - Liverpool

Reviewed By: Catherine Jones

It's rather ironic Flashdance – possibly the only musical ever set in a steel mill – should open on the day Britain's steel industry was dealt a body blow.

And there was hollow laughter as one character urged: "Keep drinking, I hear there's a recession coming."

But you can't keep a feel-good musical down, and Flashdance is definitely more chorus line than Corus.

It sits – alongside Fame and Footloose – in a triumvirate of aspirational, coming-of-age dance films of the 1980s.

Since the heyday of Kevin Bacon and wanting to live forever, all these films have morphed into stage musicals, with Flashdance the latest, and last, to hit the theatres.

It has the requisite elements - energetic dance routines by doyenne of British choreography Arlene Phillips; a pumping score; a central love story, and, in Victoria Hamilton-Barritt's Alex, a sassy heroine.

Alex, who dreams of a place at a prestigious dance school, is a welder by day – flash dancer by night, although in fact she actually does no welding and very little dancing until she strips off to Lycra and leg-warmers for the final big number What A Feeling.

There's strong ensemble singing and a dancing sisterhood of whom the pick is Ruthie Stephens' vulnerable Gloria, while former Hear'say singer Noel Sullivan gives a solid performance as Alex's management boyfriend. Director Kenny Leon also has at hand the gem that is Bernie Nolan who is developing a nice line in musical mums.

So why doesn't it quite work? Why does it often feel flat, not flash? While the cast sustains admirable energy, it can't hide the fact the plot is as flimsy as a dancer's chemise and the songs – save for a handful of film originals – are unmemorable.

The opening slo-mo steel mill scene is rather camp, while some of the writhing choreography reminds me why those of us who lived through the 80s are faintly embarrassed by the decade. Bruno Langley is somewhat wasted – no pun intended – as drop-out Jimmy, although he finally muscles his way centre stage for the aptly-named You Can't Keep Me Down featuring some of the evening's best dance moves.

It's left to the lithe Hamilton-Barritt to hold on to the dream for a final flash dance.

Rating: 7/10

© The Echo Newspaper, 27/1/09

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