Everybody knows that glitter ball winner Joanne Clifton can dance, but wow can this woman sing!
The Strictly star took to the stage at the Millennium Forum as Alex Owens in Flashdance last night and nearly lifted the roof with her powerful vocals.
Chatting to the Derry News last week she said she could identify with her character- an untrained dancer trying to get into ballet school- because she is a novice at musical theatre.
But if it wasn’t for her candid confession no one would have guessed she hasn’t graduated from stage school.
She easily kept the audience hooked with her high energy stage presence and impressive vocals.
But ‘Flashdance’ is first and foremost about the dancing and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
Joanne is a dancer at the top of her game and manages to sing along to her high octance numbers without missing a note.
No wonder she has a six pack you could bounce walnuts off.
Choreographer Matthew Cole has utilised her Latin American skills while staying true to the street dance vibe of the film.
All the iconic moments from the film are there. The waterfall in the club and unforgettable hip-hop audition for the Shipley Dance Academy.
But the group numbers and six minute ‘mash up’ at the end mean the stage version is much more dance heavy than the film that inspired it.
For those who can’t remember the 80s Alex, is a welder by day and ‘flashdancer’ by night, who dreams of becoming a professional.
Her love interest Nick Hurley is played by Ben Adams, who audiences of a certain vintage will recall from his ‘a1’ boy band days.
The years have done nothing to diminish his heart throb looks and the voice that sold 10 million records is very much alive and well.
A former head chorister at Westminster Abbey, Ben is now a successful song writer and producer, working with the likes of Craig David and Robin Thicke.
There are a couple of side plots, like best friend Gloria (Hollie Ann Lowe) being drawn into a seedy world of lap dancing while her hapless boyfriend, Jimmy (Colin Kiyani), tries and fails to make it in New York.
But with a score features smash hits Maniac, Manhunt, Gloria, I Love Rock & Roll and the award-winning title track Flashdance - What a Feeling it’s the music and dance that really get the audience going.
No wonder Joanne says she can’t get to sleep until 2.30am after a show because she has to wait for the adrenaline to wear off.
“This is the most full on show I’ve ever done,” she admitted
”I have bruises everywhere all the time and I have to get physio once a week for my neck and my knees.
“But it’s absolutely super it gives you such a buzz.”
An 80s-tastic wardrobe of double denim, spandex and leotards takes audiences right back to decade that style forgot, but audiences won’t forget this show in a hurry.
Flashdance, proudly sponsored by the Derry News, performs at the Millennium Forum all week until Saturday March 24.
Tickets are now available from the Box Office. Telephone 71 264455 or visit millenniumforum.co.uk for bookings.
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