Burn the Floor was originally conceived after a
special performance for Elton John’s 50th Birthday in 1997 and two
years later the show made its world premiere in the UK in Bournemouth. Since
then it has played in over 300 cities. The show played the Shaftesbury Theatre
in 2010 between the closing of Hairspray and the opening of Flashdance and has
now returned thirteen years after it originally opened in the UK to fill the
theatre before ‘From Here to Eternity’ opens in October.
The show
is made up of a selection of all different dances, from Rumba to Jive and The Waltz
to the Tango. This sassy production provides a range of beautifully executed dances
that will make you want to join them up there. The energy that was oozing off
that stage was tremendous. Although the show doesn’t have any sort of narrative
as a whole it still is a fabulous showcase of the astounding dancing skills
that were on that stage.
Jason Gilkison directs and choreographs this
production and he has put everything you could ever want from a dance show into
this. The routines are slick and sculptured like a work of art but with the
perfect edge to make them something immensely unique. Its takes someone very
special to be able to mould routines
around the performers and take their characteristics as a person and use them
to full advantage.
The set was very simple, band at the back on a raised
platform with some curtains appearing at one point, it may sound awful but the
most important aspect of the design of this show is the lighting buy Scott
Rogers. This is one thing that will blow your mind, the show wouldn’t have been
near as spectacular as it was without his design. He is able to work with the
performers and light them in a way that sets the mood for each section but
whilst also highlighting the fantastic dancing that was going on, very precise design
that worked exquisitely within the production. Bret Hooper designs the costumes
and it’s very clear that he understands how the dancers move in the show because
the costumes add a whole new layer onto the performance. I was expecting cheap
looking outfits with tacky patterns and cheap material but it was the complete
opposite.
A mention must be made to Charlie Hull (Music Consultant), Joseph
Malone (Musical Director), Derek Wilson (Sound Design and Engineer) and Musical
Co-Ordination Services LTD. I have no idea what any of those titles mean and I
certainly don’t know what they contributed towards the Orchestration. But it
was superb! A fantastic soundtrack that filled the theatre with exhilarating beats that you could
really feel in your body which made you feel connected to the performers on
stage. The only dodgy bit about the music side of things was that ‘Gotta Get
Thru This’ was featured in the second act. Made me giggle as it seemed a little
ridiculous!
What I was surprised to find out was that this show features live
vocals, Peter Saul Blewden and Vonzell Solomon sang these. Peter had a great
voice, beautiful tone and incredibly controlled. However I didn’t feel he portrayed any personality what so ever, one thing that I loved about the dancers was that they all portrayed their personalities through their performance and it made you really warm to them but Peter didn’t seem to have this. Vonzell’s voice was insane! Elements of Beyoncé in there and again, very controlled and her ‘Sway’ was one
of the best versions I’ve ever heard.
The dancers,
wow! This ensemble are incredible. They work together so well and you almost
felt a bit of fun competitiveness on stage which was thrilling to watch. Karen
Hauer (who resembles Nicole Scherzinger hugely!) was beautiful; she had a
softness about her that was gorgeous which worked amazingly well with her
partner Kevin Clifton who had the same feel about him but with a manly touch.
My favourite couple has to be Janette Manrara and Robbie Kmetoni, stunning!
Janette had such a sassy element to her performance that whenever she was on
stage I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Robbie also had a really cheeky feel to
him but with a really strong edge, what a dream couple! A mention also has so
to go to Giselle Peacock, her foot work was ridiculous! She originally trained
in Latin dance and this really shows, she has an attitude about her which is
really stimulating to watch.
The show features Kristina Rihanoff and Robin
Windsor as the special guests, as a couple they had this fire about them which
was electric on stage. But they didn’t do much! They came on stage a few times
and did a short dance now and then but other than that they didn’t add anything
to the show. To be perfectly honest, they didn’t impress me much, I was far
more amazed by the other dancers rather than them. For me they looked too
relaxed and like it was their show when In fact they were probably my least favourite
thing about it.
If I had to describe this production in one word it would be
stunning. It’s such a good show to watch and flows so well, I get bored quite easily
but there was not one point in this show that I would think ‘ok next dance’. Remarkable
production with marvellous routines. It’s not something I’d really be
interested in as dancing shows aren’t necessarily my thing but after this I
certainly will be a lot more open to this genre of theatre.
If you like dance
shows then go and see this! It will blow your mind, if dance isn’t something you’ve
really be interested in but you’re prepared to give it a try then see this production!
Even if you walk out never wanting to see a dance show again I will guarantee
you’ll be incredibly impressed by the talent that is on that stage.
Rating: ****
Burn the Floor runs at the Shaftesbury Theatre until the 1st September 2013
Cast Includes: kristina Rihanoff, Robin Windsor, Karen Hauer, Jemma Armstrong, Jack Chambers, Kevin Clifton, Santo Costa, Natasha Dejong, Giulia Dotta, Patrick Helm, Faye Huddleston, Ash-Leigh Hunter, Shem Jacobs, Robbie Kmetoni, Janette Manrara, Keoikantse Motsepe, Giselle Peacock, Aljaž Skorjanec, Peter Saul Blewden and Vonzell Solomon.
