Flashdance Confirms West End Opening, 14 Oct

Producers of Flashdance The Musical have today confirmed that it will indeed receive its West End premiere at the Shaftesbury Theatre (See News, 9 Mar 2010), where it will now open on 14 October 2010 (previews from 27 September) and is initially booking until 26 February 2011.

The stage show, based on blockbuster Eighties movie, premiered at the Theatre Royal Plymouth in July 2008 prior to a national tour (See News, 8 Feb 2009). It features music by Robbie Roth, lyrics Robert Cary and book by Cary and Tom Hedley.

The iconic 1983 film of Flashdance starred Jennifer Beals as Alex Owens, an 18-year-old Pittsburgh welder and exotic dancer who dreams of winning a place at a prestigious dance school and becoming a professional ballet dancer. The score features the songs “Maniac” and “Flashdance… What a Feeling” (which won an Academy Award for Best Song) – it also launched a fashion frenzy for torn sweatshirts.

The touring cast was led by Victoria Hamilton-Barritt as Alex, alongside Bruno Langley, Bernie Nolan and Hear’Say’s Noel Sullivan, now in the West End in Grease, which is also produced by Flashdance’s David Ian (See News, 21 May 2008). West End casting is still to be announced.

Flashdance is directed by Nikolai Foster and choreographed by musical theatre veteran and former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips. In addition to David Ian, the musical’s producing team includes Christopher Malcolm and American producers Steven Baruch, Tom Viertel, Marc Routh and Richard Frankel.

Currently at the Shaftesbury, Hairspray closes on 28 March 2010 prior to its forthcoming national tour (See News, 27 Jan 2010).