Burn the Floor - Ballroom Blitz

Burn the Floor has tight links to Perth. Director/Choreographer Jason Gilkinson hails from Perth, as does his former dance partner, Executive Producer and Stage Director, Peta Roby. Three of the twenty dancers in this incarnation of the show come from Perth (making it better represented than any other city), so it is perhaps unsurprising that Perth has been chosen to open this version of the show, which will then tour Japan.

Burn the Floor is a busy enterprise. While this production is its flagship show, the company is currently performing on two cruise ships based in the USA and this week opens a production at Busch Gardens theme park in Florida. Director Jason Gilkinson is currently judging So You Think You Can Dance and between tours cast members appear on Dancing With the Stars in Australia and the US and on Strictly Come Dancing in the UK.

Despite, or perhaps because, they are squeezing in this tour between so many other responsibilities, this production is amazing. The dancing is breathtaking, the pace relentless and the production values are sky high. Costuming is imaginative and beautifully created and the lighting belies the fact that this is a touring show, slick and superb. It is difficult to believe that this season launches several new numbers and performers, as the polish on these dances is just phenomenal.

It is almost impossible to pick out highlights in such a faultless show, but my personal favourite was Venezuelan dancer Karen Hauer's performance with six of the male dancers, much of which she performed blindfolded, as well as the title dance, Ballroom Blitz.

The dancers are, without exception, outstanding, but special mention should be made of local girls Jemma Armstrong, Megan Wragg and Ash-Leigh Hunter who were obvious favourites of their home-town crowd and of Danish, Mette Elkjaar, making her debut with the company.

Vocalists Vonzell Soloman and Leon Lopez (also joining the company in Perth) added a beautiful dimension to the show, and would be worth seeing in concert even without the brilliant dancing accompaniment.

While the music is recorded, the sound quality is excellent and percussionists Pat Madden and Giorgio Rojas provide live accompaniment.

Despite reviewing for Stage Whispers, I rarely have the opportunity to see outstanding dance performances and this production of Burn the Floor-Ballroom Blitz was a rare privilege. It is well worth seeing and I recommend it to all aspiring dancers, anyone who enjoys dance tv and even for those who think they don't like dancing.

Kimberley Shaw