Flashdance the Musical - Wolverhampton

Reviewed By: Bev Holder

Energetic, fast-paced and bursting with passion - the world premiere production of Flashdance the musical exploded onto the stage at Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre this week.

For those unfamiliar with the hit 1983 movie starring Jennifer Beals, the story - set in Pittsburgh in the USA - centres on 20-year-old Alex Owens, a welder by day and exotic dancer by night, whose dream is to win a place at the prestigious Shipley Dance Academy.

Although adapted considerably for the stage - the new musical written by Tom Hedley and Joe Eszterhas stays true to the main themes of the original Paramount Pictures movie, while including a collection of new scenes, characters and pretty little ditties that blend well into the story.

Victoria Hamilton-Barritt was perfectly cast as leading lady Alex.

Boasting a beautifully curled barnet, she captured the spirit of the down-on-her-luck dancer brilliantly - combining some great moves with a charming stage presence and credible vocals.

Likewise former Hear’say star Noel Sullivan was ideal as Alex’s boss and boyfriend Nick Hurley. Likeable, sincere and natural on stage, both his singing and acting talents were clearly up to the job.

Former Coronation Street star Bruno Langley put plenty of energy and emotion into his role as new character junkie Jimmy Kaminsky - and Brookside’s Bernie Nolan was on fine form as Alex’s tragic mother Hannah Owens.

Ruthie Stephens was really likeable as rock chick dancer Gloria, who falls into working in a seedy poledancing club in her foolhardy search for fame and fortune.

Fellow dancers Djalenga Scott as Jazmin and Carryl Thomas as Keisha were also engaging, energetic and popular with the audience.

Generally some of the American accents were a little phoney and a frenetic scene attempting to dramatise Alex’s grief after she loses a loved one was unnecessary.

But the high-energy 80s inspired song and dance routines choreographed by TV’s Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips were exquisite and were really all that mattered.

Staging was simple and suggestive, but effective - with slick scene changes and split scenes helping to keep the show fast-paced throughout.

Imaginative, dynamic and full of 80s glamour - the show looks set to bring the Flashdance phenomenon to a whole new generation.

© Halesowen News, 13/8/08

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