TAP DOGS

Take Fred Astaire’s grace and place it in the physicality of the labour-class. Or take a dancing Stanley Kowalski gifted with a strong sense of humour. Choose Escher’s settings where gravity is an option. Horizontal scaffolding, vertical ladders, diagonal platforms and upside down pavings. Let claquettes rule all over with beat and dazing acoustics. Put a pinch of Australian boldness in experimenting, pushing beyond confined borders…and what you get is an EXTRAORDINARY Tap Dogs performance.

Dein Perry’s Tap Dogs have conquered the world ever since their debut in 1995 at the Sydney Festival. The artists from Newcastle have touched over 330 cities and 37 countries through the years, opening the Sydney Olympics in 2000. The audience, can’t help being  bewitched by this new show directed and designed by Nigel Triffitt along with composer Andrew Wilkie.

Sheldon Perry, pernickety and meticulous Foreman, holds the other dancers at bay whilst his gifted feet are flamingly on fire. The second in command, Anthony Russo, with outstanding skill defies gravity, embodying a tapping Neil Armstrong. The Enforcer Matthew Papa makes clear and loud statements with his hop, shuffle and toe; whilst Richie Miller uses self-irony as an understatement to his talent through his Funky sequence. James Doubtfire is the funny chap of the group who tries to break the scheme now and  then with amusing pranks and a vibrant series of Rat moves. Whilst it’s incredibly inspiring to observe the youngest of the group, Nathaniel Hancock, who despite being the Kid of the company, doesn’t miss a step in the choral numbers. The rhythm is held in the drum sticks of the energetic and steamy lady-percussionists, Lyndsay Evans and Catriona Hunter.

Come rain or come shine no surface remains untrodden by the acrobatic Gene Kellys. Indeed, no stormy weather will stop their tapping shoes even in great big puddles…did I forget to mention the first row-spectators will be slashed with water?

Without doubt you’ll have a ball enjoying the performance of the happiest feet ever!

Sheldon Perry – Foreman

Anthony Russo – 2IC

Matthew Papa – Enforcer

Richie Miller – Funky

Nathaniel Hancock – Kid

James Doubtfire – Rat

Jason Lewis – Swing

Sam Marks – Swing

Lyndsay Evans – Percussionist

Catriona Hunter – Percussionist
by Chiara Spagnoli