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Will sparks fly for Flashdance star?

Kate Stirrup
3/ 9/2008

APPARENTLY, Bernie Nolan makes a mean Sunday roast. So actor Bruno Langley tells me, anyway.

Former Coronation Street star Bruno is starring in the new stage show Flashdance: The Musical, which is heading for Manchester’s Palace Theatre on September 8.

When I spoke to Bruno last week while the tour was in Aberdeen, he told me he was getting along brilliantly with his co-stars, including ex-Hear’Say singer Noel Sullivan, Bernie Nolan and Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, who plays main character Alex.

"We’ve all got so close over the past few months. Bernie cooks us Sunday lunch – her husband Steve’s Yorkshire puddings are restaurant quality. Not as good as Aunt Bessie’s, of course, but whose are?" Bruno laughs.

The new musical is based on the cult 1983 movie Flashdance about sexy welder Alex, who dreams of winning a place at a prestigious dance school.

Choreographed by TV favourite Arlene Phillips, it features hits from the movie including Maniac and the Oscar-winning classic Flashdance – What a Feeling, along with 10 original numbers.

It’s these new songs that 25-year-old Bruno believes marks out Flashdance as something a bit different from the current spate of jukebox and movie-to-musical productions.

He said: "People who’ve seen the show say it is a cut above.

"The tour is going well, but we’ve a long way to go. The audiences are really enjoying it and it feels really good to get some good reviews."

"Bernie Nolan has an amazing voice and Victoria, who plays Alex, is a rising star. She is going to be big – she’s absolutely amazing."

He added that at the weekend performances some audience members are coming decked out in Eighties-style leotards, headbands and, of course, the slash-neck sweatshirt made famous by the movie.

"It’s like that Call on Me video," says Bruno, who admits he "moves" rather than dances in the show.

Bruno played Todd Grimshaw in the Street, and grabbed plenty of headlines with the much-hyped kiss between his character and Nick Platt, played by Adam Rickett. His roles since his main stint on Corrie (he did return briefly last year) include Doctor Who on TV in A Taste of Honey on stage, and he says that in Flashdance he’s relishing the chance to play a baddie.

He takes the role of bad boy Jimmy Kiminsky, a childhood friend-gone-bad of Alex – a part written specially for the musical.

Of Jimmy, Bruno says: "People perceive him as not a nice guy. He’s an 18/19-year-old streetkid living in Pittsburgh, US, and he’s just out of prison for robbery. He does fancy Alex, but is really looking for money.

"It’s absolutely brilliant playing a baddie – I’ve only played good guys before."

Bruno admits he’s a bit of a show-off ("you can’t be shy and retiring on stage"), and that taking a singing role for the first time didn’t really phase him, saying "I come from a musical family and I’ve always been singing."

He is looking forward to Flashdance’s stop in Manchester, from September 8 to 13. Bruno said: "It will be lovely to be in Manchester. I consider it a home from home. I moved here in 2001 and stayed here until six months ago.

"I love the city and have lots of fond memories of my time on Coronation Street."

Flashdance: The Musical is touring until February 2009. And after that movies could be next on the young actor’s CV. Bruno said: "It would be nice to do some British films then see what happens."

Flashdance: The Musical is at the Palace Theatre from Monday, September 8 to Friday, September 13. For tickets, priced £7.50-£26, ring 0844 847 5007.