NOVELLO THEATRE

If you are expecting elegant gentleman in spotless evening-wear and shiny shoes you are in for a surprise! TAP DOGS reinvents tap dance with a mighty boost of adrenaline. Six buff men in work-wear and steel toe boots relentlessly deliver an hour and half of non-stop tapping on the industrial set.

Nigel Triffitt's interactive set is constantly being transformed and as new scenes are constructed, the tapping doesn't stop, they tap at all angles on moving parts of the set. These skillful dancers tap fast, tap slow, tap on water, tap with basketballs and even tap suspended upside down!

The waterproof mac that welcomed me to our third row seats was quickly put on. The gentleman next door was a little uncertain as to whether to keep his on or not, diving for it at even the slightest chance of getting wet which did make me giggle. The tap dogs were rather kind in the water scene and the water did not quite reach the third row. However I do think that the brave people in the first row were more at risk of getting drenched in sweat that seemed to fly off the Tap Dogs. With eight performances a week, these men must be the fittest cast on West End.

Leader of the pack was Adam Garcia - I knew I recognised him from somewhere - he starred in the film Cayote Ugly in 2000 and is currently a judge on Sky's hit television show Got to Dance. Adam is currently tap dancing eight shows a week with a broken left hand. A for Effort!

Tap Dogs does not have a plot or much dialogue, however the innovative, witty and up-beat display of tap dancing talent will certainly keep you entertained.

Review Date: 14 June 2010