Reviewed by Linzi Davies
A trip to the Empire Theatre in Liverpool is always a heart-warming experience, there’s something about the structure and decoration within which grips the audience from the very minute you climb the steps outside and set foot into the impressive foyer. A very windy October evening would maybe have made many stay within the comfort of their own four walls, but the opportunity to view a tale of strength, determination, individuality and valour, not to mention the obvious “Girl power” theme was too good to pass up.
Having never seen the film, I wasn’t totally sure what to expect. I understood it was a tale set in the big 80’s era so expected big hair, bright colours and a feel-good euphoria which was evident from the first scene. Initial microphone issues meant that although the first set vision was one to behold, the singing unfortunately was largely overpowered by the spectacular band that were on show.
A working-class girl graced the stage, “Alex” (Joanne Clifton, Strictly Come Dancing), a girl in a man’s’ world, an impressive apprentice welder with morals and values stronger than an ox but with dreams, dreams to belong at Shipley dance academy. The show depicts this story in a generous manner, backed up by some fantastic choreography and rather good vocals. Her aspirations to achieve are aided by her love interest, Nick Hurley (A1’s Ben Adams) who whilst wanting to do the right thing by his employees at the factory is hindered by his rich boy tag which in some ways is unjustified. My favourite song during the first act was not the, much better renowned, “What a Feeling” but a number performed by the males in the ensemble about justice, how some people will always achieve without effort whilst others never will despite the greatest endeavours.
Friendship’s and loyalty also play a large part in the show, Alex’s friend Gloria abandoned by her partner, Jimmy turns to the seedy strip club which is trying to overtake the night-time economy from Harrys Bar.
The overall story which we all knew from the beginning would have a bright and happy ending was secondary to the dance routines that were on show, the outstanding athleticism and physiques of these the cast was amazing, although the men in ballet tights were slightly off putting!!
I found the actual set kind of disappointing, large gantries of industrial steel works, two sets of step ladders and three iron benches for want of a better description which were moved, hoisted and pushed around the stage by the cast incorporated into their routines. It left me as the viewer a little sea sick and fed up of the constant shifting of the huge structures to create the scenes. Somewhat unnecessary and distracting. The positive from this set up was the illuminated graphics that were hologrammed onto the rear of the set, these on many occasion throughout would have been enough.
Overall a good, upbeat, audience catching tale of a good girl becoming great and living happily ever after. Will it inspire me to watch the movie probably no… Certainly worth a trip out although it didn’t quite make it in to my top 5 stage shows.
Rating: 4/5
Tickets cost from £16.15 to £55.90 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).
Flashdance is at the Liverpool Empire from 16-21 October 2017, for more information or to book tickets visit www.atgtickets.com/liverpool or call the box office on 0844 8713017.
Liverpool Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 1JE | 0844 8713017
