Flashdance the Musical - Wolverhampton

Reviewed By: Maria Cusine

Body doubles may have been used for the energetic dance routines in 80s hit film Flashdance - but there is no such short changing of the audience in the stage version of the big screen blockbuster with an electric display from the leading lady and cast of talented performers.

Flashdance - The Musical has to be one of the hottest musicals to hit the stage this year - in more ways than one. The atmosphere at Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre was electric as the stage came to life and transported us back to the 80s for almost two and a half hours with a fast-paced, energetic, innovative and raunchy production.

While not an exact carbon copy of the hit American movie, it features the best bits from the storyline, a string of classic hits - including Maniac, Gloria and the title track Flashdance - What a Feeling - as well as a host of new songs especially composed for the touring musical.

Set in Pittsburgh, it tells the story of 18-year-old Alex, a welder by day and “flashdancer” by night, whose dream is to obtain a place at a prestigious dance academy. The stage at the Grand was cleverly split into two levels - setting the atmospheric scene and highlighting the difference between the dance and welding worlds.

West End rising star Victoria Hamilton-Barritt takes on the role of Alex - and looks very much like actress Jennifer Beals who played the part in the movie. But while the Hollywood actress had body doubles for the many energetic dance routines in the film, Victoria showed off her own fancy footwork and left the audience gasping in awe.

Former Coronation Street star Bruno Langley played hoodie-wearing bay boy Jimmy Kaminsky and pulled it off with success. Combine the stars with the all-singing and dancing ensemble and the audience were left engrossed in the fast-paced punchy production. The movie version of Flashdance was never a musical as such, and so to bring it to the stage was always going to be a challenge. But this cast pull it off in fantastic fashion. *****

© Express & Star Newspaper, 13/8/08

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