Mayflower Theatre, Southampton – until 9 September. Reviewed by Karen Millington Burnet
2**
We were really, really looking forward to seeing this version of Flash Dance. With my niece, who is four decades younger than myself, I really thought I could share the 80s with her… bright leotards, leg warmers and big bushy hair.
The music drowned what I think could have been great vocals from the two lead actors, Joanne Clifton and Ben Adams. Their voices were distorted and neither of us could understand a word of that was being said. Song after song…it became a bore. Yes, we were sitting right opposite the speakers; row J…but really, this was painful.
The energy was clear from the cast but on occasions the dancing was basic, repetitive and not to the standard I’d have expected from a world class ballroom dancer like Joanne. At one point we thought she would do herself some damage…as she threw herself around like a demented bull. While Joanne played Alex well enough, at times she just tried too hard and ended up stomping around the stage.
Ben Adams came over well but, with the sound system, we really could not hear him very well. With the music playing it was impossible and at times I felt the whole cast were shouting to be heard. Nevertheless, we did warm to him…but maybe that was just his good looks! The actor who did stand out was Rhodri Watkins. A great dancer; my niece felt he was the star.
The stage itself was a complicated set, and the actors had to move it themselves…which got in the way of the acting. In some scenes, for example when Alex invited Ben back to her room, I thought it was a street scene.
The clothes were very eighties and Alex had great bushy, wild blond hair.
Sadly, I think the show could gave been great, but we were fighting the sound system and at times the dancing and choreography were just not good enough.