Get ready to dance to the hits like you’ve never danced before when Flashdance the Musical comes to the Belgrade Theatre this September. Back on UK stages for the first time since 2011, this brand new touring production marks the 10th anniversary of the show’s world premiere in 2008, with Strictly Come Dancing winner Joanne Clifton and A1 singer Ben Adams leading an outstanding cast.
Based on the hit 1983 film of the same name, Flashdance the Musical tells the story of 18-year-old Alex Owens, a welder by day and “flashdancer” by night, who dreams of training at the prestigious Shipley Academy and becoming a professional dancer. Things get complicated, however, when she ends up falling for her boss, Nick Hurley…
Leading the cast as the starry-eyed Alex is World and European Ballroom Dance Champion Joanne Clifton. A two-time Strictly Come Dancing winner, Joanne is one of few performers to have claimed the Strictly glitter ball in both the main series (alongside Ore Oduba in 2014) and the Christmas special (with Harry Judd in 2015).
Now an experienced theatre performer, she made her musical theatre debut in the UK premiere of Irving Berlin’s Face the Music, a role that saw her nominated for an Off West End Award. She followed this up with a turn as Marilyn Monroe in the Norma Jeane Musical and a stint as Millie Dillmount in the UK tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie, which garnered her rave reviews.
Joanne Clifton said: “This is just another dream come true. As soon as they hear ‘What a Feeling’, I think everyone in the world, whether dancer or non-dancer, will remember that iconic scene at the end of the film, and I’m so incredibly lucky that I get to do that every night in a UK tour along with fabulous numbers like ‘She’s a Maniac.’”
Joining her as love interest Nick Hurley will be A1 heartthrob Ben Adams, whose singing career began at the tender age of 8. As a child, Ben led the choir of St. Margaret’s in Westminster Abbey, touring throughout Europe, performing at Royal Weddings, recording two classical albums, and singing for famous figures ranging from the Pope to the Queen.
Aged just 16, he became the lead singer of A1, racking up an incredible 10 million record sales, two UK number ones and five studio albums as well as a Brit Award. Since the band’s split in 2002, Ben has successfully carved out a career as a songwriter and producer, working with the likes of Robin Thicke, Craig David, JLS, Ward Thomas, Sam Bailey, Boyzone and Alexandra Burke, as well as recording his first solo album.
As well as touring with the reunited A1 since 2010, he’s also graced the small screen, reaching the finals of Celebrity Big Brother, the Norwegian version of Strictly Come Dancing, and Master Chef in Denmark. More recently, he wrote his own stage musical, EUGENIUS!, set to hit the West End next year following a sold-out London Palladium performance.
Ben Adams said: “It’s amazing to be part of such an iconic story, and as an 80’s child I was brought up on this music so I couldn’t be happier playing Nick in the theatre production of Flashdance. Whilst I continue with my own music career and touring with A1, Musical Theatre has always been a real passion of mine, so to be asked to play this role, and to be working with such an amazing cast and crew is a real honour. I look forward to seeing you all out on the road in the coming months.”
Additional cast includes: Colin Kiyani, Rikki Chamberlain, Garry Lee Netley, Carol Ball, Sia Dauda, Hillie Ann Lowe, Simeon Beckett, Rhodri Watkins, Demmileigh Foster, Emily Kenwright, Ameila Rose Fielding, Alex Christian and Matt Concannon.
Featuring a Grammy Award winning soundtrack including the Golden Globe and Academy Award-winning title track Flashdance – What a Feeling, this classic musical promises an unforgettable evening filled with astonishing musical spectacle and phenomenal choreography.
Flashdance the Musical is presented by Selladoor Productions (Footloose, Avenue Q, Little Shop of Horrors, Spamalot) and Runaway Entertainment (In the Heights, Guys and Dolls, Lazarus).
