Review: Burn the Floor at Regal Theatre

Burn the Floor (Dare to Dream) at Regal Theatre
Thursday, August 14, 2024

No square of the Regal Theatre was left unscorched after the sensational opening night of Burn the Floor’s latest production, Dare to Dream.

Celebrating the 25^th anniversary of the esteemed dance production company, which originally found its beginnings in Sydney’s northern beaches, this latest spectacle certainly did not fail to deliver the high-quality, high-octane standard of live dance and music that Australia, and the world, have come to expect.

First and foremost, the quality of dance and performance throughout all elements of the show was exemplary. With the company’s primary focus being on competitive ballroom and Latin dance styles, often partnered, it was no surprise to see such styles woven through the piece. However, the general diversity of contemporary, ballet, and heavily fosse-inspired jazz made for a highly dynamic, visually engaging, and high-energy production throughout.

Choreographers Jorja Freeman, Alberto Faccio and Robbie Kmentoni (also company dancers) led an ensemble of dazzling professionals from a range of artistic backgrounds through several episodic celebrations of Australian music and mediations on Australian identity, country and society. It was clearly no mean feat to keep movement fresh for the duration of the show; however, Freeman, Faccio, and Kmentoni indubitably delivered just that.

Dancers Jemma Armstrong, Gustavo Viglio, Sophie Holloway, Lyu Masuda, Lily Cornish, Julian Caillon, Anna Riera and Jackie Chambers joined the choreographing trio. While visually and technically impressive as dancers, to the average punter, the sheer stamina of the performers in delivering such consistently high energy throughout the show was equally staggering.

Moving through scenes of tavern merriment, playful swing and blues, old Hollywood glamour, emotional moments of connection, and nods to Aboriginal cultural dance and music, the show wove a musical journey. Proclaimed by host Phil Burton, the show’s focus was exclusively on Australian musicians.

Oddly, this iron-clad commitment to national nostalgia was soon disregarded in an entertaining, though confusingly jarring Motown tribute that undercut the significance of the Australian exclusivity. However, the featuring of an Australian majority was appreciated, including beloved artists like AC/DC, Kylie, Guy Sebastian, Sia, Cold Chisel, Vanessa Amorosi and John Farnam.

The show’s costume department also deserved heaped praise for the visually ensnaring array of fringed, rhinestoned, sequined and all other manner of bedazzled costumes that shone on stage. Clearly designed with the choreography in mind, individual items twirled and flowed in perfect synchronicity with the dancers, creating gorgeous moments of movement on stage, even in stillness.

Additionally, it would not be a Burn the Floor production without a talented live band. Accompanying Human Nature star Phil Burton, vocal powerhouses Tyler Azzopardi (Musical Director), Tia Gigliotti, and Mark Stefanoff (keys) delivered stand-out versions of beloved songs. With Jamie Valente on lead guitar and Pat Madden on drums, the whole musical ensemble elevated the quality of the show and was an equal highlight to the dancing itself.

Esteemed host Phil Burton led the cast in the show, delivering vocals and occasional moments of dance. While Burton’s vocals, alongside his peers, cannot be faulted, his efforts as an MC left something to be desired. His easy, outgoing persona seemed at odds with a lifeless script that begged for audience laughter but received none.

Similarly, every mention of Burn the Floor’s establishment, success, or anniversary brought unsolicited mediations on, and comparisons to, that of Human Nature. While undoubtedly not of Burton’s doing, it unfortunately, and uncomfortably rendered an important staple in the dance industry, as merely a platform for the nostalgia of white male reminiscence. Such was also sorely felt in the final moments of the show, when Burton’s Dancing with the Stars victory invited a certain demonstration, which, when bookended in the same song by professional dancers, fell short of charming with a ‘give it a go’ attitude and landed sorely as merely uncomfortable to watch.

An additional afterthought on the script, however, is the recognition that when the dancing and music speak for themselves, the occasional word may go astray. Seemingly, such an oversight was also present in the company program which is teeming with spelling and grammatical errors to the point of occasionally being unintelligible yet warrants a $20 charge.

Overall, Burn the Floor: Dare to Dream does what it has always done best: delivers an incredible show. Seasoned fans of the company or new converts alike will find no shortage of dazzling, spellbinding and jaw-dropping moments in this 25^th anniversary special.

BEC WELDON