For an opening night, one might expect some hesitant performances as the cast get used to their new home; but right from the opening number, Steeltown Sky, the cast kept the energy high and Joanne Clifton showed her class with a cameo dance routine, the first of many.

Ipswich Star: Flashdance - The Musical. Picture: BRIAN HARTLEYFlashdance - The Musical. Picture: BRIAN HARTLEY (Image: all rights reserved)

She’s playing the lead role of Alex which is not just a dancing role; she has a nice voice too and was able to carry the songs and dance easily, keeping the audience engaged.

Many of the songs you’ll remember from the original film, such as Maniac; which was sung on this occasion by the female members of the cast. Other songs were specially written for the stage show and move the narrative along. The show has also been brought up to date with some hip-hop moves during I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll that proved popular with the crowd.

The ensemble is generally strong and support the main characters well; you could feel a connection amongst the cast, particularly Sia Dauda, Hollie-Ann Lowe and Demmileigh Foster who play dancers in the night club. Carol Ball plays the part of the private teacher and adds some light humour to the show as she tutors Clifton.

Male lead Ben Adams plays the part of Nick Hurley, the son of the steel factory boss where Alex works as a welder. Of course, the early part of the show centres around his focus on wooing her, while she shows distain and is concentrating on getting a place at the dance academy.

Adams shows he can act as well as sing during his first number with the male cast members, Justice. He too has an excellent voice which transfers well from pop to musical theatre.

I thought the director missed a trick with the iconic stage shower scene, which could have been given more time in the show but was used to bring the first act to an end. The other classic scene, the audition, doesn’t disappoint as we hear What A Feeling for the first time. I’m not going to give the ending away but the show got a standing ovation and you’ll get to dance in the auditorium.

Mark Westall