Blockbusting stage take on an 80s classic

Published on Tuesday 16 September 2008 10:15

Flashdance*****, The Edinburgh Playhouse

One might be forgiven for thinking of Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips as a scathing old bat. After all, not only does she make grown C-list celebrities cry, but by rights she should have picked up her free bus pass four years ago and tootled off to berate the foxtrot skills of tea dancers on the promenade in Bournemouth.

However, when you consider her track record, if anyone seemed destined to choreograph a stage version of 1983's surprise hit movie Flashdance, it's Phillips.

As the founder of TV dance troupe Hot Gossip and the inspiration behind some of the world's most iconic music videos, Phillips was responsible for many of the raunchiest routines of the 70s and 80s. Last night, she gave the Playhouse two and a half exhilarating hours of sensual, edgy drama.

Bringing all the energy and enthusiasm of her early work back to the stage, Phillips combines the film's key moments with original set-ups and plays on familiar scenes. Breakdancers are used to help the set shift effortlessly from one scene to the next, and the two-tier set serves as a canny device to give the dancers room for manoeuvre.

It's not just the work of Phillips that stands out in this ensemble piece though. Director Kenny Leon has extracted assured performances from all of his players, especially the orchestra, who make an excellent job of seamlessly blending live music with pre-recorded tracks.

Leon has also managed to retain the cheeky humour and sassy charm inherent in the original while leaving no space for the sentimentality and overt nostalgia that can hinder even the best productions.

Only one concession to high camp seems to have been made – the neon pink leg-warmers and matching wristbands on sale in the foyer.

Based on a true story, the narrative centres on Alex Owens, a girl from the wrong side of the tracks but with a level head on her shoulders. Making ends meet as a welder by day, Alex spends her nights indulging her passion as a 'Flashdancer'.

Although not the sort of activity engaged in by the refined ballet students of the college the 18-year-old desperately wants to get into, it's still a step up from being stripper a bit further down Skid Row.

As Alex and love interest Nick strive to make the most of their future, the lives of Jimmy and Gloria serve as a reminder of what could be. That is, until Alex's life collides brutally with a boy called Jimmy.

Victoria Hamilton Barritt is a star on the rise, bringing a tough street quality to the role of Alex without compromising her femininity. She is more than a match for the self-confident Nick, played by former Hear'say member Noel Sullivan, who is carving a successful niche in musical theatre.

While a little under developed, Bernie Nolan invests Alex's mother with a quality engaging enough for the punters to warm to in her short time on stage. Bruno Langley, of Coronation Street, gives Jimmy a sympathetic restlessness that dovetails well with Alex's bullish demeanour.

Ruthie Stephens' Gloria is worthy of note too, both for her powerful voice and stage presence.

For a production on its premier tour, Flashdance is more than West End worthy.