A regular feature each year is the Tempo dance style combos of pick a mix, and Cheek to Cheek – described as a good shindig, duet style – fitted the bill. It brought together tap dance, Spanish dance, tango, hip-hop, contemporary, salsa and ballroom.  Glam, glitter, frills, suits and frocks mixed with a touch of razzle dazzle certainly celebrated partner dancing, in this myriad of styles.

The very talented choreographic performance duo of Simon Watts and Andrew Cesan strut their stuff with attitude, in Robotic Fonk a fusion of hip-hop and tap styles and their second work Two Man Crew a mixing of the elements of hip-hop. Both works included aerials namely 360 degree backward flips and specially mixed backing tracks strongly accenting the dynamics of their choreography.  Make no mistake, although they use a laid back style wearing purple and yellow jackets, trousers with two tone tap shoes, these two highly accomplished technicians, have trained together for ten years in Boyzdance2.

In contrast Dancing with the Stars participants Jonny Williams and Rebecca Nicholson glided across the floor in style befitting their interpretation of the classical English Waltz. Rising, falling and twirling across the space gracefully, clearly realising the music this duet was elegant and beautiful to watch. Their second number upped the pace, shortens the frock and added the bling for a Samba to Rumba dance.

I witnessed a spectacular lift in which Liza Kharoubi’s legs sliced the air sharply, making a strong angled shape at the top of her partner Diego Echenique reach. The simmering passion behind the tango with its fast footwork, close hold and long lingering leans, were embraced with precision and panache within this improvised duet.

The energy and vibrancy of the salsa was captured by Vivio Ramos and Greydis Montero. The Cuban circular style salsa had a cat and mouse playfulness between the two performers although her hips seem to never stop. At one point the roles changed as she turned him in a slow circle and he descended to very near the floor, ending in a long stretched out horizontal platform, balanced on one leg. This stunning contrast gave us time to catch breath fleetingly before they quickly returned to the high energy and fast moves commonly associated with Salsa.  

Another change saw four pairs of women dressed in delicious polka dot frilled dresses of vibrant colours take to the stage to perform Flamenco in the form of Sevillanas a popular partner dance from Andalucia, Southern Spain.  The upright stance, twirling wrists with arms often above the head and punctuated stamps, created a strong presence and several audience members called back to these women acknowledging this proud display.

However I personally felt although performed well, the two contemporary duets were the odd couple of this show with a very different aesthetic.

To end Brain Jones and Kristal Stuart performed Cheek to Cheek again, this time with a more assured performance than in the opening sequence. Following this refrain, music still playing, all performers, one after another, interpreted their own cheek to cheek bow. The lights went out on everyone dancing their own styles while Ella Fitzgerald’s voice continued with this signature tune from the film Top Hat.

I was left with a vibrancy of colour concluding this partner dance smorgasbord.

Copyright © in the review belongs to the reviewer