(Neville Letard’s
Group: Pink Hats. Back row: Jordyn Alford/Dylan Botes; Cindy & Greg Melson;
Greame & Kirsty Harpham and Madison Bromfield/Prince Dladla. Front row: Clinton
& Carina van de Venter; Michael Beckett/Shelly Dady and Tony Fourie/Katie
Dickinson)
An enchanting celebration
of the art of dance. (Review by Keith Millar)
Durban’s all-time
favourite annual dance extravaganza, the fabulous Shall We Dance, is back in town for its 23rd season, and
can be seen at the Playhouse Opera Theatre until September 19.
Presented by the
South African Dance Teachers Association the show features a cast of over 80 exciting
performers from Durban’s leading dance studios along with a sprinkling of international
award-winning professionals.
Styles on display include
ballroom, Latin, belly-dance, tap, line-dance, modern and even a touch of
ballet. The dancers all show inspiring enthusiasm and commitment, and they
illuminate the theatre stage with their exuberant, energetic and talented
performances.
The result is a
spectacular and awe-inspiring kaleidoscope of movement and sound, sequins and
feathers, glitz and glamour, colour and light, and is an enchanting celebration
of the art of dance.
The professional
dancers who grace the stage in this year’s show include Darren Hammond and
Milla Lykke Nielsen who are ranked in the world top 20 for Latin American
dance. Joining them are current Danish Ballroom Champions Nicolai Bouet and
Anna Shagalina.These couples have exceptional talent, and their dance sequences
are wonderfully skilful and classy.
However, the
professional dancers who took the audience by storm were South
Africa’s own World Champions in Exhibition dance: Gerhard van Rooyen and Amor
Kruger. Exhibition dance is a combination of strength, agility, balance and
fluidity. Dancers have to have extraordinary gymnastic ability along with great
skill in classical dance. Van Rooyen and Kruger tick all these boxes. Their
performances are astounding, breath-taking and spectacular. It is easy to
understand why they are world champions.
The wide variety of dance sequences presented are
beautifully and sensitively choreographed to suit the abilities of all the
performers. There were enough moments of high drama, humour, sultry sexiness
and excitement to suit all tastes.
Complimenting this is the eclectic choice of music
used in the production - everything from light classics to modern hits with
some unusual matches which actually work. A perfect example is the belly dance
sequence - how they don’t dislocate those hips I will never understand! – set
to Meghan Trainor’s. It’s All About That
Bass.
The magnificent set designs, with plenty of tinsel,
glitter and mirror balls on display, play a large part in the success of the
production, as does the exquisite lighting design. The costumes are
spectacular. Sometimes quirky and sometimes elegant but always a perfect fit -
in both senses of the word.
Direction of Shall
We Dance is by industry veterans Neville Letard and Caryl Cusens who have
brought their considerable experience to bear to put this exciting festival of
dance together. They deserve congratulations for their efforts.
This showcase of dance is unadulterated,
uncomplicated, feel-good entertainment. I strongly recommend it to anyone
looking for a fun night out.
Shall We Dance runs in the Playhouse Opera until September 19. Tickets from R75 to R140 can be booked at
Computicket (www.computicket.co.za or 0861 915 8000) –
Keith Millar
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