Noel's no Flash in the pan (From Bucks Free Press)

Noel's no Flash in the pan

3:24pm Monday 11th May 2009

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FOR many people being a part in one of the fastest selling bands on the planet would be a blessing.

But Noel Sullivan freely admits the stigma from his reality TV days has acted as an anchor on a now burgeoning career on the stage.

The 28-year-old Welshman shot to fame in TV talent show Popstars in 2001, when he was selected as a member of the band Hear'Say.

In the 18 months they were together the band, which included TV favourite Myleen Klass, Coronation Street star Kim Marsh and Dancing on Ice winner Suzanne Shaw, sold a staggering three million records, scoring two number one singles and a number one album, becoming the first band to debut at the top spot in the singles and album chart.

However, for the past six years 28-year-old Sullivan has been trying to escape from the image of his popstar days, and work his way up the slippery slopes of musical theatre stardom.

Since he quit the band in 2002 he has been working on a variety of shows, including stints playing Danny Zucco in Grease, and touring with the hit show What a Feeling.

“Musical theatre was what I started off doing before Hear'Say. It's fair to say performing music is my first love, but there is also a place in my heart for musical theatre,” said Sullivan.

“I have been working around the country earning my stripes. I didn't want to walk into a show because of Hear'Say, I wanted to earn the respect of my fellow professionals.

“For commercial tours it's a help to have been in the band, but for other productions some producers would not see me because I'm from Hear'Say. Hopefully I will keep building up the good experience, and people will come to see me in a different light.”

Now he has a leading role in the stage version of Flashdance the musical, which has been touring the country for the past ten months, earning excellent reviews.

The eight shows in High Wycombe are the final run in a ten-month tour of towns and cities in the UK of the world première of the show, based on the early 80s hit film about a woman who works in a steel mill by day, and as an exotic dancer by night, but dreams of getting into ballet school.

Alongside Sullivan are former Coronation Street actor Bruno Langley, as bad-boy Jimmy, and Bernie Nolan as Hannah Owens, whilst the choreography has been done by Arlene Phiullips, a judge on Strictly Come dancing.

“The original screenwriter is back involved, and he had to add new scenes to adapt it for the stage and make it more of a play, and he has also incorporated 11 new songs, although the classics like What a Feeling are still there,” added Sullivan, who plays amiable steel mill boss Nick Hurley.

“The film came out when I was only three, so it was a little bit before my time, but it's one of those films I was definitely aware of as I was growing up.

“The stage version is quite different, but that's great as it gives me a chance to really develop the character I play and make the role my own, which as an actor is a rare luxury.

“There are talks about taking the show to the West End, which would be an absolute dream, and I would love to be considered for the role there. Musicals are big business these days, so it's a good time to be doing them.”

He added he was looking forward to playing High Wycombe, having toured previously with What a Feeling.

“I'm really looking forward to the shows as they are the last ones on the tour and everyone will be giving their all to it.

“Suzie (Shaw) does not live far away and Myleen (Klass) has also said she will be coming to watch.”

Co-star Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, who plays aspirational dancer Alex Owens, admitted the popularity of the show had been given a boost by the surprise success of comedian Robert Webb, who performed the classic sequence from the film in the show Let's Dance for Comic Relief.

She said: “He was hilarious, it was really good. It has definitely helped to get people to come along and see the show.

“I think a lot of people are surprised at how dark the show actually is. One of the characters gets into drugs and becomes a stripper, and there are a lot of dark moments.”

The show runs at the Wycombe Swan theatre from Monday, May 11, to Saturday May 15.

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