Flashdance performers bring style and sizzle to Riverlea

Presented by: Riverlea Theatre

Dates: November 23 – December 14

Diretced by: Noelle Savill

Venue: Riverlea Theatre

Tickets available here NB suitable for a mature audience

Riverlea Theatre have chosen a real crowd pleaser for their annual Christmas show.

Flashdance the Musical was launched in 2008, and it reworks the main characters, plot and music from the popular 1983 film.

Like many of the romantic scripts of its day, it deals with a feisty, capable girl from the wrong side of the tracks working hard to get ahead in life and fulfil her dreams. Her style and sass catch the attention of a rich handsome guy, and a back & forth romance plays out.  

In this case our heroine is Alex Owens, played superbly on preview night by Lily Burgess-Munro. Alex works as an apprentice welder by day, and a nightclub ‘flashdancer’ by night.

The new guy at work Nick (an excellent Andy Derby) turns out to be the boss’s son, but he shows promise beyond the ‘rich kid’ cliché.

Alex is supported by her friends, coworkers, and a much-loved mentor Hannah (Marianne Kay) to gain the confidence to pursue her goal of becoming a dancer while the sub plots of business rivalries, women’s rights, job insecurity and the costs of pursuing fame also play out with the supporting characters.

The cast are excellent in this production. Burgess-Munro was spot on for the lead role of Alex, not just providing a familiar physical reference, but showing superb energy and skill in her dancing, as well as being vocally solid. The role is also played by accomplished performer, Olivia Turner, and there are alternate cast for a number of roles. Check here here  to see who plays which shows.

Derby as Nick was natural and polished. His singing was excellent and I felt the two leads conveyed genuine connection in their scenes, especially during the duet ‘Here And Now’. I also loved the comic fun with the male ensemble in ‘Justice’ and ‘My Turn’.

The roles of Alex’s friends and fellow dancers Gloria (Hannah Doherty), Kiki (Kyra-Mae Wilson) and Tess (Alex Lloyd-Lewis) were all superbly cast. Doherty was terrific as Tracy in Hairspray last year and shows her versatility as an actor and singer in the key role of Gloria.

Wilson’s stage presence and performances build each time I’ve see her and her powerful voice was a highlight. I also loved the attitude and skill Lloyd-Lewis brought to ‘I Love Rock n Roll’ and the female ensemble number ‘Maniac’ was a highlight.

I enjoyed the polished and focused performances of Sam Armstrong as sleazy rival club owner CC, Cat Dwyer as dance academy director Ms Wilde and Jacqui Graham as Hannah’s nurse, Louise. While the script doesn’t allow for much character depth, some of CC’s increasing menace towards Gloria created effective tension.

A live band led by Katie Wigmore was on show at the back of the stage and it was lovely to see and hear this tight group. Vocal direction by Lili Taylor meant the ensemble harmonies soared in a range of well-known, and lesser-known songs, including ‘What a Feeling’, Manhunt’ and ‘Justice’, the latter being a good opportunity for the male ‘steel works’ ensemble to shine.

Dancing, as you’d expect, takes up a lot of the show. The musical numbers were fun and engaging and Stephanie Balsom’s choreography brought all the 80’s moves. It was particularly strong in the big numbers and club scenes, heaps of talent on show. Costumes and hair were a highlight with lots of realistic 80’s style – a big cast and a demanding job for these teams.

There were some good production elements including incorporating film of Alex cycling to work as Tess, Kiki and Gloria sing the intro track ‘What a Feeling’. This review covers the preview show just before opening and director Noelle Savill indicated there were still a few things they were working on. While there was much to appreciate with some very good shadow work and interesting use of mirrors and lighting, I felt more representative staging could have been directed for some scenes to reduce some heavy handed set changes, and additional sound would’ve helped maintain atmosphere and flow in the breaks in action.

Overall a lively and fun show.