[F]lashdance – The Musical returns to the UK for the first time since 2011 starring ‘Strictly’ favourite Joanne Clifton and singer-songwriter Ben Adams. The show will arrive in Carlisle from Monday 21 to Saturday 26 May as part of an extensive UK tour.
‘Strictly Come Dancing’ Champion Joanne Clifton is no stranger to being at the top, as she is also a World & European Champion ballroom dancer, and is one of very few pro dancers to have won both the main ‘Strictly’ glitter ball with Ore Oduba last year and the ‘Christmas Special’ in 2015 with Harry Judd.
Joanne made her musical theatre debut in the role of Streetwalker in the UK premiere of the Irving Berlin musical ‘Face The Music’, for which she was nominated for an Off West End Award. She followed this up with a turn as Marilyn Monroe in the ‘Norma Jeane Musical’ and then tread the boards as Millie Dillmount in the No. 1 UK Tour of ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ for which she garnered rave reviews.
She is now excited to take on her latest starring role as Alex Owens in the UK Tour of ‘Flashdance’. Joanne says, “This is just another dream come true! I think everyone in the world whether dancer or non-dancer, as soon as they hear ‘What a Feeling’, 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’. I’m over the moon! It’s another amazing opportunity in my musical theatre career and I can once again sing and act alongside dancing! I just hope the water’s not too cold when it falls on me!’
Ben Adams who will join Joanne on stage as Nick Hurley has been singing and performing since the age of 8. His career started as head chorister at St. Margaret’s, Westminster Abbey, singing at royal weddings, touring all over Europe and recording 2 classical album. At 16, he became the lead singer of the band a1, who racked up 10 million record sales, 2 UK number ones, 5 studio albums and toured throughout the world, winning a Brit award among many others.
When the band split, Ben took to the studio and is now a successful song writer and producer, working with the likes of Robin Thicke, Craig David, JLS, Ward Thomas, Sam Bailey, Boyzone and Alexandra Burke. He also reached the final of ‘Celebrity Big Brother’, the Norwegian version of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, and ‘Master Chef’ in Denmark. As well as writing for other artists, he went straight to number 1 in the iTunes Chart with his classical album titled ‘One Beautiful Mourning’. His first solo album 1981 will be launched early 2018.
In 2010, a1 reformed and having successfully completed stadium tours in Asia and 68 sold out arena concerts across Europe, they starred in ‘The Big Reunion’ on ITV2 and played arenas across the country.
Ben says of taking to the stage in Flashdance: “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, Matt Concannon.
‘Flashdance – The Musical’ tells the inspiring and unforgettable story of 18-year-old Alex, awelder by day and ‘flashdancer’ by night, who dreams of going to the prestigious Shipley Dance Academy and becoming a professional dancer. When a romance complicates her ambitions, she harnesses it to drive her dream.
Prepare to be blown away with an astonishing musical spectacle and phenomenal choreography to this iconic score, including the smash hits ‘Maniac’, ‘Manhunt’, ‘Gloria’, ‘I Love Rock & Roll’ and the award-winning title track ‘Flashdance – What a Feeling’.
Based on the Paramount Pictures film (Screenplay by Tom Hedley and Joe Eszterhas, story by Tom Hedley) ‘Flashdance’ is an inspiring musical about the power of holding onto your dreams and love against all odds. The show proved a hit with audiences, and remained in the Top 10 Box Office in the States for 15 weeks after release. The original score also proved hugely popular, with the soundtrack album selling 700,000 copies within two weeks of release. The platinum selling hit title track ‘Flashdance – What A Feeling’ won both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe in 1983, with the soundtrack winning the Grammy Award for Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special in 1984.
Flashdance – The Musical runs from Monday 21 – Saturday 26 May 2018. Tickets £41.50 – £23.50 plus a booking fee* and are available from The Sands Centre Box Office on 01228 633766 or online at thesandscentre.co.uk.
*£1.40 per ticket in person/by phone or 7% per transaction online.
