Reviewed by Debbie Lowndes
My daughter and I attended the Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham to review the musical theatre performance of the eighties movie Flashdance. My 17-year-old daughter loves to dance so this performance did not disappoint, she was watching every move with admiration.
It was true eighties style with leg warmers galore. It was a real crowd pleaser with full audience participation, feet tapping, singing and clapping.
The story is set around Pittsburgh factory worker and welder Alex Owens, who constantly dreams of a better life, which is jam packed with dance. She has a regular dance slot at Harry’s she sees this as a stop gap. However, it does not meet her true desires and dreams of becoming a professional. Her friend persuades her to apply for an audition at the local prestigious dance school – Shipley.
Into the family factory business comes Nick Hurley the boss’s son. On his first day he spots Alex and makes it his mission to win her heart. It is not long before Nick becomes her love interest.
Nick is working on preventing cut backs in the factory and Alex is preparing for her audition then Nick uses his power to provide a helping hand in order to ensure Alex achieves her goal. This results in things blowing up in front of his eyes and putting his love in jeopardy. I will not elaborate in great detail as I don’t want to spoil anyone’s experience.
Big songs and dance classics are many and definitely do not disappoint.
As Alex Owens, Joanne Clifton can dance for sure. She also pulled a fantastic vocal performance out of the bag which sounded amazing at the Nottingham Royal.
Ben Adams as Nick Hurley is outstanding with impeccable vocals, also easy on the eye. He has a few good dance moves too. Adams does not fail to put on an A1 performance.
Joanne Clifton and Ben Adams duets are ‘Here and Now’ and ‘Hang On’ and they come across as being so meaningful. The dance ensemble really take the limelight with graceful, powerful routines choreographed by Matt Cole.
Director Hannah Chissick has certainly captured the spirit of the movie, within the stage setting.
Flashdance The Musical is well worth seeing, you will have those well-known songs running through your mind for days. The dancing throughput it truly out of this world, well done to all involved. This has to be up there in one of the best theatre performances that I have seen for a long long time.
Our night was full of excitement with excellent entertainment and we danced and sang. It was that good I would be happy to watch again and again I don’t think I would ever get bored.
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £19 to £43 (booking fees may apply).
Flashdance the Musical is at the Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham from 7-12 May 2018, for more information or to book tickets visit www.trch.co.uk or call the box office on 0115 989 5555.
Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall, Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND | 0115 989 5555
