Queensland Ballet taps, pirouettes, and waltzes back to Old Hollywood in Strictly Gershwin

Pictured above: Queensland Ballet soloists Georgia Swan and Vito Bernasconi in Strictly Gershwin.

Queensland Ballet’s latest production of Derek Deane’s Strictly Gershwin has dazzled its way into the Lyric Theatre. Following a sold-out season in 2016, the production is back in all its glitz and glamour glory. A homage to the Jazz Age musical pioneers George and Ira Gershwin, Strictly Gershwin taps back in time to take the audience on an enchanting journey through the Golden Age of cinema.

The shows two acts are separated by the music’s relevance to Hollywood or Broadway, with each number its own movie scene, all leading up to the grand final credits. Or rather, curtain call. The show is a delightful surprise from start to finish. Derek Deane’s intricate choreography blends jazz, tap, ballroom, musical theatre, and classical ballet, leaving the audience anticipating whether the dancers will tap, pirouette, or tango their way onto the stage.

The overture, a robust mosaic of the Gershwin’s iconic melodies, kicks things off with the unlikely pairing of classical ballet and vibrant rhythms of the big band era. At first it seems the brassy beat and delicate tutus shouldn’t work together. But any doubt soon disappears as Principal Artists Lucy Green and Victor Estévez prove this is no ordinary ballet, effortlessly performing classical techniques to Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s energetic rhythm.

L to R: Guest Tap Artists Kris Kerr, Rachel Walsh and Bill Simpson in Strictly Gershwin.

It wouldn’t be a celebration of Old Hollywood without a special nod to tap dance, and Guest Artist’s Bill Simpson (also Tap Choreographer), Kris Kerr and Rachel Walsh certainly live up to the iconic dance sequences from the Golden Age. Don’t be fooled by their ‘guest’ status, Simpson and Kerr steal the show in their performance of ‘Fascinatin’ Rhythm’, while Walsh brings the Leading Lady poise in ‘Oh, Lady Be Good’. The latter has company artists swapping their pointe shoes for tap, once again showcasing the versatility and technical excellence of Queensland Ballet dancers.

The monochrome glamour and sparkle of performances such as ‘Shall We Dance?’ feels as though you’re watching Fred and Ginger fall in love on the old MGM backlot. Accompanied throughout by Guest singers Luke Kennedy, Naomi Price, Nina Korbe and Ben Mingay, the production is a romantic Hollywood montage of ballet, tap, ballroom and singing. Perfectly reminiscent of the optimistic and joyous films of the Golden Age.

Strictly Gershwin is a stand-out production for Queensland Ballet. A vibrant and glamourous affair, this will captivate audiences from start to finish.