BLAZE THE SHOW - PREVIEW BY JOE CALLERI

WHAT - BLAZE THE SHOW

WHERE – THE ARTS CENTRE, MELBOURNE, HAMER HALL

WHEN – WEDNESDAY 23 JANUARY 2013 TO SUNDAY 27 JANUARY 2013

REVIEWER + PHOTOGRAPHER - JOE CALLERI

Blaze The Show performers - by Joe Calleri.

Lovers of contemporary, high concept, big budget, dance spectaculars are in for a special treat when they attend internationally renowned, Blaze The Show, which forms part of the Arts Centre’s summer season of specially curated shows.

With its lightning paced, eye-popping, jaw-dropping dance routines performed by beautifully muscled dancers, Blaze The Show, which has already played to audiences in more than 7 countries, and 100 cities around the world, is likely to appeal to a wide range of audiences.

The show is directed by Anthony Van Laast, best known for choreographing the stage and movie versions of the smash hit musical, Mamma Mia. It also boasts a stunning, industrial set design by Es Devlin, designer of stages for superstar performers, including Kanye West and Lady Gaga, and which consists of floor to ceiling drawers, filing cabinets, television sets and even a bath tub.

Blaze The Show performers - by Joe Calleri.

The dance routines are set to an eclectic musical mix by performers including Kanye West, and Michael Jackson.

At the media call, we enjoyed two dance routines. The first sequence, Hip Hop by the Blaze B-Boys, comprises a rapid fire series of neck-snapping head spins, and back flips performed by four muscular performer in their brightly coloured track suits.

The second dance sequence, Wii, choreographed by Mike Song, is described as a Pop and Lock routine involving 10 contemporary street dancers, some dressed in glowing sunglasses, gloves and t-shirts, performing a high energy routine, some of it under ultra violet lighting.

Blaze The Show performers - by Joe Calleri.

I later interviewed Blaze The Show’s charming, Luxembourg-born and London-trained dance captain and choreographer, Kendra Horsburgh, who shared with me some insights into the performers and her teaching style.

The dancers, aged between 21 and 34, represent a veritable foreign legion, coming from Holland, France, Luxembourg, Australia, the United Kingdom, United States, Portugal, and Denmark.

Horsburgh, who has previously performed as a dancer with Blaze The Show, explained how she keeps the performers fresh especially when they are touring for months at a time. She stressed the importance of the performers receiving good quality sleep, and nutrition and the benefits of warm ups and cool downs.

Horsburgh also revealed how she keeps the show looking fresh, by breaking down complex dance routines into micro steps, and by constantly asking her dancers whether they are comfortable with the demanding routines they are performing. Consequently, the dancers enjoy their routines more. The enjoyment felt by the dancers on stage is palpable.

But, it was Horsburgh’s comment regarding egos that I found most interesting and refreshing. There are no egos with her performers, Horsburgh said. She explained to me she is very careful when auditioning dancers to select only those who do not bring their egos onto the stage.

So, bust your own moves, Melbourne, and enjoy the audacious dance skills on display at Blaze The Show.