Magic of Dance
June 24, 2008
Venue: Theatre Royal, Newcastle
Date Reviewed: 23rd June
The Magic of Dance, is the hit show that puts a twist in to Irish dancing, is touring the UK once again and returns to the Theatre Royal after three years. While there is no doubt a comparison between this show and the likes of Riverdance, which popularised Irish dancing, The Magic of Dance has rightly built up a following all of its own
The story is narrated by screen legend Christopher Lee (who does not appear) and tells the story of two young lovers in Ireland at the dawn of the great famine. When the demons of starvation and depravation threaten to split them, they decide to leave for America. We know there will be a happy ending , but the dancing that gets us there is often breath taking.
A series of relatively short dance routines tell the story, supported with a series of effects ranging from pyrotechnics, flames, smoke and a large screen showing various images, which enhance the choreography by Michael Donnellan and John Carey.
You cannot help but notice that parts of the dance routines are reminiscent of STOMP and TAP DOGS. As we cross over the Atlantic to New York, where we are treated to American Tap Dancing and one of the shows highlights where the New York Tap All Stars have a dance off against the more traditional Irish dancers again recalling elements of Riverdance.
Interspersed with the dances is a large amount of comedy, which ranges from one member getting the audience to whistle back to him, to three “volunteers” (from the front stalls) finding themselves on stage learning to dance, much to the delight of the rest of the audience.
One small problem is that there is no chemistry between our lead dancers, which as supposed lovers torn apart does allow the intensity of the piece to be lost. However the rest of the dancing is faultless with the audience rightly shouting for more at the end.
Following the show the principal dancers sign autographs in the foyer and while I felt exhausted from watching they all looked fresh and as if they had just arrived for the show. How they have the stamina to perform this show twice a day on Thursdays and Saturdays is beyond me.
Comments
-
Recent Posts
-
Categories
Advertisement