What a feeling at Eastwood Park

Legwarmers and blowtorches hold no fear for Christina Leon, taking up the lead role in Glasgow Music Theatre’s version of Flashdance.

The 28-year-old jeweller is used to working with metal — and a background in performing means she’s ready for an all-dancing part.

For those unfamiliar with the 1983 film, Christina plays Alex Owens, a female welder looking for her big dancing break.

She said: “There are only five songs in the film, including Manhunt, Maniac and I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll. All those songs are in the stage version, but there are another dozen new songs too, so it’s been tough trying to learn all those dances.”

The most famous song of all, though, is saved for last, when Alex auditions for the Dance Academy to the now iconic What a Feeling.

Christina added: “I’ve danced in shows before — I’ve been dancing since I was young — but I think I’ll be just as nervous as Alex when it comes to the big finale.”

A trip back to the excesses of the 1980s is just the latest feat for GMT, the company behind Eastwood productions How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (2014), A Chorus Line (2013) and Fame (2012) — and a group with a reputation for delivering high quality musical theatre far from amateur.

GMT’s Flashdance runs January 20-24, 7.30pm (plus a 2.30pm Sat mat). Tickets are £10-£15, from eastwoodparktheatre.co.uk.