Flashdance the Musical - Southampton

Reviewed By: Lorelei Reddin If you like dance, you’ll love Flashdance the Musical. This is nearly two-and-a-half hours of upbeat, high tempo pure energy and passion.

At first the show, visiting the Mayflower on its world premiere tour, offered little in the way of drama.

It started out as the very simple tale of our heroine Alex Owens, welder by day and dancer by night, and her dream of making it big as a professional dancer.

But the dark second act particularly was full of drama with romance, violence and devastation all in the mix.

But as fans of the film which made Sarah Jessica Parker famous will know, it all comes good in the end with a successful audition for a top dance school.

Djalenga Scott, deputising for Victoria Hamilton-Barritt for the first time in the lead role was a revelation. Despite early trouble with her microphone, she really grew into the role and put on an incredible show in her audition piece to What A Feeling.

Other famous faces also impressed – Bernie Nolan a confident and composed Hannah Owens, Noel Sullivan adorable as the love interest, Nick Hurley and Bruno Langley menacing, and down on his luck Jimmy Kaminsky.

It was the street dance ensemble pieces that really delighted this first night audience. That and a full orchestra belting out massive hits including Gloria and I Love Rock n Roll.

These new recreations of hit 80s movies are really bringing a new energy to theatres. And new, young and vibrant audiences. Long may it continue.

© Daily Echo, 6/8/08

<< back