I Don't Feel Like Dancing -Theatretrain Live Show Review - 28 Sep 2008
Live Show Review
On 28th September, the trailblazing performing arts touring company Theatretrain hosted their latest production, "I Don't Feeling Like Dancing", at the Royal Albert Hall.
This year's gathered 1400 performers (dancers and vocalists), aged 6 to 18, and a 22-strong orchestra: its biggest line-up to date. The orchestra was led by superstar conductor Robert Hyman, who also stepped in as troupe leader and Master of Ceremony.
The two-act-fold performance, broken down into 8 themes, was a showcase of excellence from the perfectly designed technicolor costumes, to the choreographies (particularly those in the first act), to music selection....
And music was the star of this performance, with the most interactive song being Nikos Kazantzakis's "Zorba the Greek", which got the full house clapping along. This was one of many timeless classics performed in the show, including the Montague and Capulet theme, the Blue Danube Waltz and even Michael Jackson's thriller. Other timely hits (by Snow Patrol, Take That and Beyonce, among others), including the centre theme song "I Don't Feel Like Dancing" by Scissor Sisters, were performed during the show by impressively skilled young vocalists.
The renditions were so good, they surely managed to convert some of the audience into liking songs they would not necessarily take to if performed by their original performers (The Fratellis' s "Whistle For The Choir" is an example).
Indeed, these 'bambini' proved to already be well- acquainted with the not so mainstream genres of jazz, disco, salsa, cha-cha-cha and French cancan!
From a spectator's perspective, this was close to fairy, customized with a variety of props: fluorescent sticks, balloons, gym balls, ribbons, masks, paper plates, and what have you...
Spectators which were in large number proud parents and siblings. But, while one could think that all these kids were pushed on stage by unfulfilled parents, if that was the case, well none of it transpired, as the kids were all smile and seemingly happy to be there.
This funfair of innocence and carefreeness ended on a nostalgic note, inviting legendary stage choreographer (and mother to the late and equally legendary Kirsty MacColl), Jean Newlove on stage.
What's left to say? Perhaps that if the world were ever to be ruled by troops just like these, it would be a much better place, and in this day and age of grim urban routine, this is one of the few trains one should truly be sorry to have missed!
