Tap Dogs

 From six guys from a small metal town in Sydney to a show that has grown into a world-wide award winning phenomenon, and it is not difficult to see why.

 Capitol Theatre Wednesday, 5 January, 2011 From six guys from a small metal town in Sydney to a show that has grown into a world-wide award winning phenomenon, and it is not difficult to see why. Tap Dogs is not just about the dancing. Fusing theatre with dance, construction and rock music, this is a full blown sound and light show with a team of tappers who stop at nothing to produce an awe inspiring show for their audience.  The strong and effervescent female musicians who pound drums, and play a cacophony of instruments from metal scaffold cages bring a whole other dimension to the production, and create a second layer of rhythm to weave with the men and their tap boots. What’s more there is a huge amount of comic timing in the show; the men each have a character and fuse that with unbelievable and often breathtaking choreography that for 80 minutes takes you well away from life’s realities, with each dance sequence more impressive than the last. Adam Garcia is a brilliant tapper and the show is clearly centred around him as their leader to simulate some kind of storyline, but really they are an ensemble and it would be more effective if they were treated as such by the direction. His tapping did not seem to be distinctive enough to warrant a lead role and the direction of the piece leaves him coming off a little arrogant. That said he illuminates on stage and plays up well to the character he is playing delivering a top notch performance. Sparks fly, water sprays and the Tap Dogs dip and soar through it all with not an ounce of fear or hesitation. Tap shoes race in a flurry across the stage with what looks like not even the slightest effort on the dancers part. The show is over in the blink of an eye and the Tap Dogs really give it all they have. This production is exciting and stimulating and it is understandable why after 15 years it is still going strong. It is a jam packed show worth every cent of the ticket price! Tap Dogs is in Sydney for 5 weeks only at the Capitol Theatre until February 6 2011