This must be what it's like when you invite a ballerina to the dance party. Or, more specifically, a troupe of ballerinas and danseurs to the dance party.
Born and trained in Cuba but corrupted by the world's modern day chart toppers, 'Ballet Revolución' is a high-energy fusion of mastered technique and unfettered street movement that reads not too dissimilar to an episode of 'So You Think You Can Dance' – sans judges.
Admittedly, the performance is a slow burn. Its introductory numbers are deprived of lyric, relying purely on the masterfulness of the choreography and the strength of the dancers' ability to capture and engage an audience whose primary wish is to bop and sing along. So with no structured tale to be told, no characters or hierarchy to journey beside and the din of unfamiliar music in the background, the audience quickly becomes restless.
It isn't until halfway through the first act when we're introduced to something familiar. Something high-energy. Something we can dance to in the club.
Beyonce and Rihanna, Sia and Alica. Beyonce and Beyonce and Beyonce again. A live Cuban band appears in the background with vocalists (Noybel Gorgoy Reyes and Burke 'Weston' Foster) and musicians of a calibre unparalleled. It's as though their presence has given the dancers a second lease of life because out of the darkness and mediocrity, they are reborn into a new world where the lights are strobe bright and the party is just getting started. Their lines are long and beautiful and when it comes to letting the music take over, they hit it. Hard.
With a troupe heavily dominated by men (12 strong), the performance spares no expense in exploiting their physique, regaling the female contingent of the audience with a dash of flirt and a bucketful of cheek. All eye candy and good, family fun aside, it's a testament to just how much stamina and personality is required to command a stage for a little over two hours through the power of dance.
The seven ballerinas however are not to be overlooked. Immaculately trained but badass to the core, they rip across the stage with a rival strength that overflows with feminism, confidence, attitude and sensuality. Paired with the danseurs they tease, taunt and seduce channelling a healthy mix of ballet, modern jazz and athleticism. Together, they are women, exquisite. One of the more endearing pieces describes a day on the beach. The backing track is Sia's 'Chandelier' and, like its video clip, it shivers down the spine and lures you ever closer to the edge of your seat.
There's an unmistakable air of joy on stage as Bruno Mars and Ricky Martin continue to provide the soundtrack to choreography influenced by Cuban street, Brazilian salsa and even Michael Jackson's moonwalk in a celebration of dance of culture. The result? A standing ovation and two encores.
Think it's fair to say, there's no one falling asleep at this ballet.
Ballet Revolucion Tour Dates
Wed 1 - Sun 5 July – State Theatre (Melbourne)Tues 7 July – Frankston Arts Theatre (Frankston)
Thurs 9 - Sun 12 July – Concert Hall, QPAC (Brisbane)
Tues 14 - Sun 19 July – Her Majesty's Theatre (Adelaide)
From 21 July – Regal Theatre (Perth)
