Review: Floorplay

I did this review for my History of Dance class and it was submitted to Ms Stephanie Burridge.

Jason Gilkison thinks ballroom dancing is hot.
And no, Jason Gilkison is not being treated for mental distress.

After a successful run in 2006, Burn the Floor quicksteps back to Singapore with yet another highly-entertaining production FloorPlay. Armed with his newest baby, artistic director Jason Gilkison embarks on a remarkable journey to introduce ballroom dancing with sass by vamping it up with Salsa, Rumba, Foxtrot, Cha Cha, Waltz and Tango.

I came. I saw. I gaped.

From the opening act to the dazzling finale, the audience was treated to a stunning display of intricate footwork and spectacular expertise. Along the lines of Bennifer and Bradgelina, the name marries the idea of ‘foreplay’ and ‘dance floor’. Throughout the performance, there was evidence of great showmanship as dancers never showed signs of slowing down. The energy was infectious and the steps were executed with such poise and precision. Tease audience and keep them on the edge of their seats? Check.

There was little chance of getting bored as dances alternated between different genres from 1920s Chicago Jazz, to a stirring Tango duet and the macho paso doble. My favourite part was the opening dance "Maghelena". Infused with a Brazilian beat, the dance was deliciously performed by the entire cast, clad in costumes that accented every swish and twist of the body (fringe benefits not included). One could truly feel the synergy of the vocalist, percussionists and dancers meld effortlessly.

Traditionalists may balk at the come-hither barely-there outfits and topless routines (the last time anyone saw such unabashed display of skin was perhaps in a Renaissance Museum) but the audience lapped it up hook, line and sinker.

Dance without music is like having Sunday Roasts without Yorkshire pudding. Vocalists Kieron Kulik and Rebecca Verrier, onstage percussionists Alex Leon and Henry Soriano, ignited the performance with chart-topping hits from evergreen favorites to today's pop culture icons. Sergio Mendes, Carole King, David Sanborn, Tina Turner and Gloria Estefan- they were all in the house. Casting away the one-tune-fits-all mentality, each music piece was chosen to suit the choreography: up tempo jingles for sexy, high-energy performances; melodious tunes for the traditional ballroom scenes. The lighting and the set décor seemed amateur, but this was most likely done to minimize distraction from the dance itself. Good move.

Jason Gilkison did what Micheal Flatey did for tap dance. Both took icons of stodgy fuddy-duddisms and injected much needed exuberance and pizzazz. After the interval, the performance did sag a little but the ensemble manages to hoist it back in the nick of time. If the dynamism of Gilkison is still lost on you by the end of the performance, ask yourself: When was the last time you watched ballroom and the dancers looked like they were genuinely enjoying themselves?

Jason Gilkison crazy? Me thinks not.

Date and time: 1 September 2007 2pm
Venue: Esplanade Theatre
Choreographer: Jason Gilkison
Vocalists: Kieron Kulik and Rebecca Verrier
Onstage percussionists: Alex Leon and Henry Soriano