Ballet parades musical genius

Strictly Gershwin, Palace Theatre, Manchester
TAP dancing, roller blading and Argentinian tango are not typically found on a night at the ballet.

But “Strictly Gershwin”, the newest touring production by the English National Ballet, is not your typical tutus and tiptoes.

Wayne Eagling, the company’s artistic director, admits the production is meant to inspire new audience members who may not have seen a full-length traditional ballet.

And the show achieves this by mixing different dance styles such as ballet, jazz, tap and ballroom into a two-hour production.

Based on the music of composer and songwriter brothers George and Ira Gershwin, “Strictly Gershwin” is a celebration of their most famous pieces.

The first half focuses on Broadway. It switches from ballet in the first piece “Overture” to having four members of the Maida Vale Singers belt out “Fascinatin’ Rhythmn”on centre stage.

“The Man I Love” takes the audience back to a more traditional pas de deux, with senior principal Elena Glurdjidze and principal dancer Arionel Vargas enlaced in a passionate and precise duet.

The show-stopping “An American in Paris” ends the first act. It’s an impressive but dizzying performance with what seems like most of the ballet company on stage, but while visually pleasing, it is a bit too hectic.

The second half moves through a series of favourites including “Rhapsody in Blue”, Gershwin’s first major classical score.

“Lady Be Good” is a tap number with duo Paul Robinson and Douglas Mills, while “It Ain’t Necessarily So” introduces a tango-inspired ballet by fleet-footed Tamarin Stott and Esteban Berlanga.

The gorgeous “Summertime”, from opera “Porgy and Bess”, is performed as a traditional ballet by the sublime Daria Klementova, who dances like a dream and should have been used more in the production.

A special mention must go to the on-stage orchestra, led by lively conductor and showman Gareth Valentine, which brings the lush Gershwin scores to life.