Looks like I’m bouncing from one dance show to another to another. Tonight D and I attended the premiere performance of Blaze, The Streetdance Sensation, at the Peacock Theatre. Awesome much!

The show was introduced by the Director of Plays at the Peacock Theatre warning us that it was possible the show might have some teething problems because it was a highly technical show and that they might have had to actually have to stop the show to rectify it. In a good sign for the show there were no stoppages and everything seemed to flow through pretty smoothly.

The show starts off rather slowly. Before curtain up along the front of the stage are numerous and varying forms of sneakers – all is revealed when the cast literally blaze on to stage and into their shoes! After this start, however, the show was soon firing and everyone demonstrated amazing energy. From a purely visual aspect, taking aside the dancing, there was a riot of colour often on stage tempered by an innovative set which, never actually moving itself, thanks to a great light and projection programme changed as required. E.g. at one stage it appeared that water was dripping down the wall when actually it was just a projection. I also especially liked the use of UV lighting in one of the performances which was pretty cool. Set changes were incorporated into the show rather than as a background.

The soundtrack was very original I thought not using the obvious songs, although tracks by artists such as Justin Timberlake and Rihanna did make an appearance. Most original was the piece that centered around using the wii soundtrack (that music you get on the home page – can’t remember what its called – its where you create your wii mes and select games etc.) Fantastic.

The cast consists of 12 core hip hop/street dancers (including two finalists from the first season’s UK So You Think You Can Dance) which was gratifyingly split 6-6 boy girl, a group of three breakers (draw dropping both from how fit they were – hot damn! – and their movements) and another breaker who kind of was a breaker but also kind comic relief and kind of compare when needed. Every person, either in solos, or as a the head dancer in a group dance, or in mini-groups got to showcase their skill. There was even a tap piece which was pretty cool. This kids have awesome talent. I admit I’m just a little bit jealous! One girl was a bit distracting as she reminded me very strongly of a friend of mine!

Although probably too slick and smooth for true gritty urban street dancing I’d definitely recommend it – and it seemed to appeal to a variety of people. There was even this middle-aged (white) woman who you’d never guess would be into this who was on my own and really getting into it. First one to give a standing ovation actually! Go see it before it leaves … though I suspect this is the kind of production that will keep coming back.