DANCE REVIEW: Spirit Of the Dance - The Grand Theatre, Blackpool.

Blackpool's opulent Grand Theatre was alive and 'kicking' this evening with the current tour of Irish Dance "sensation", 'Spirit Of The Dance'. 

The show started well, as the ensemble, dressed in mystic robes evoked the 'Spirit' in order it seemed to create a brand new dance which they were to take all over the world, and the singing and harmony singing from the ensemble had a very 'Musical' feel to it, theatrical, emotive, and leaving us wanting to see more. Unfortunately it all seemed to go downhill somewhat from there.

A troupe of 10 female and 4 male dancers (not including the principals) took us through dances from around the world, some with more success than others. The Scottish routine was laughably abysmal, the flamenco routines were more kindling than flames, but the Irish dancing (for which the company is known) was energetic and exciting. More than mentioned above, there seemed to be no storyline at all, and the two Spirts: one a singer / dancer and the other simply a dancer (along with a principal male dancer) interspersed their routines with the full ensemble ones. There was good use of the stage space and the choreographic ideas were sound with some lovely pictures.

I enjoyed the singing, but all the music was on playback (as well as many of the steps and taps), and so unlike their more well-known cousins, 'Riverdance' and 'Lord Of The Dance', there was no live music at all. One of the ensemble tried to involve the audience in a clapping game so we could clap the rhythm of The Blue Danube Waltz (oh dear...!), but whilst that was certainly the nadir of the show, it did end on a very well choreographed and creative comedy dance routine where the whole cast sat on the edge of the stage, and danced with their arms and hands. Very funny and clever. 

The troupe is undoubtedly talented, and their dancing was of a very high standard this evening, but if you are looking for Michael Flatley standard slickness and precision, then you need to look elsewhere.

Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 18.1.23