The Five & The Prophecy of Prana (Tour – Grand Theatre, Blackpool)

Unashamedly setting itself out as a contender for the least appealing show title of recent years, even some pre-marketed youngsters were unsure whether this fusion of hip-hop and martial arts – and the latest visitor in the venue’s identity as a regional centre of excellence for contemporary dance – was more likely to be a tribute to a boy band or story about fish (well, everyone has heard of piranhas!).

It is, in fact, the latest creation of Boy Blue Entertainment, the Olivier-award winning hip-hop dance company founded in London in 2001 by choreographer Kenrick ‘H2O’ Sandy and composer Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante.

Included in their cv is the film Streetdance 3D but this time out they have turned their attention to manga – Japan’s popular graphic novel form – and collaborated with monks from the Shaolin Temple Warrior School, manga artists Akio Tanaka and video animation studio Yeast Culture.

To that end, as with opera and ballet, it’s advisable to beef up on the story synopsis before settling into your seat if you want to have any idea of what is actually unfolding on stage.

Briefly it’s set in modern Tokyo but originates in ancient times. An evil emperor has harnessed the five elements to rule with an iron fist. Enter the Guardians of Prana who split his soul into five parts and each protect an orb containing one of the elements.

Every 60 years a new generation of Guardians is trained up which works well until one of them becomes greedy for power not to mention love, jealousy and alcohol raising their dramatic heads.

Confused? Don’t worry. What follows requires imagination, a good deal of concentration, back projections, a working knowledge of manga plot structure, a forgiving nature of the melodrama required of kung fu dialogue, a keen ear for when the whole thing switches to flashbacks and a talented cast of a dozen dancers.

It’s re-assuring then that the whole thing works rather well, especially with younger members of the audience who are probably more au fait with both the manga genre and the current box ticking trend towards multimedia shows aimed at them.

Sandy’s choreography is certainly exciting. Even without the computer generated high kicks and special effects of the martial arts films he has used for inspiration he creates utterly magnetic ensemble routines and slow motion fights.

Likewise Asante’s mix of electro, dance, street and drum ‘n’ bass rhythms guarantee maximum excitement.

Maybe that’s why when they are not there things fall a little flat as Tanaka and Yeast Culture’s creative talents slow things down – even when there’s the hint of a sequel.

The Five & The Prophecy of Prana is at the Grand Theatre, Blackpool until 29 October.