So what if the choreography is repetitive and prone to jubilant tableaus? Who really cares that the trumpeted blend of ballet with contemporary, hip-hop and break-dance styles occasionally curdles in the mixing bowl? Here comes another virtuoso dancer, in another stunning breakout solo! Another set of riveting costumes! Another encore to this highly manufactured celebration of life, lust and love – and another almost-standing ovation.

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Ballet Revolucion is performed at Auckland’s Civic Theatre – a rock concert of dance, by Beyoncé-worthy ‘back up’ dancers who take centre stage.

A little warning for the audience to settle slightly would be nice as the show commences.  However, with house lights still fading, we are forced into watching an unnecessary “warm up”. Wearing rehearsal gear, the dancers perform faux barre work: pliés, tendus and fondus. The section is set to a piece of recorded piano music on repeat. It lacks authenticity, and the dancers’ acting is a little stale.  I wonder why we need to see this as its feels contrived.

However, the rest of the showcase spectacular is filled with all that we expect from contemporary-ballet-for-the-masses: pointe shoes, costume changes galore, topless men doing pelvic thrusts, a light extravaganza, live music, feet that any dancer would die for, legs for days, jazz hands and spirit fingers, plenty of showmanship, and more six packs than you could ever require. The men (especially Yanier Gomez Noda) have all the princely qualities a balletomane desires. The ladies are subtle-sex-on-legs who could break a man’s heart with a flick of the foot. There are solos, duets, trios, group sections, and the dancers have the technique to pull off all the ‘tricks’: menages, fouettés and back flips throughout, which draw gasps from the audience. There is no narrative – this is dance for dancing’s sake, all for the benefit of the audience.

These dancers are at the top of their game and for two hours they move their beautiful articulate bodies, from contained precision to flying abandon. Their partnering skills are fearless and flawless, flexibility awe-inspiring, and they have energy like energizer batteries.

The movement draws on a classical ballet form, mashed with Cuban hips and rhythm and hip hop grunge that results in a style of contemporary dance that is unlike what we might ordinarily see here in New Zealand.

The full live band on stage is also flawless and projects further energy out onto the stage. Blasting out tunes of Lorde, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Sia, Prince and more, there is plenty to sing along to.

With five more shows until June 21^st, guys take your girlfriend, she will love you for it. Ladies, take your bloke for their first encounter with dance.

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