Boasted as “COOL CLASSICS WITH A FRESH TWIST” I went expecting much more than a shuffle ball change and a few timesteps at this show, and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. I learned tap dancing for a long time and saw some moves at THE TAP PACK I had never seen before, but that aside, this show oozes style!
Endless energy from five super-fit Aussie blokes who can dance the taps off any pair of their sponsored Capezios. And it’s no wonder Capezio, a brand well-known for some of the best dance shoes around, put their name behind this amazing group of friends who one night, long ago, wrote down on the back of a serviette at a bar, ideas on how they could combine their three main loves: ‘drinking’, ‘music’ and ‘tap dancing’.
The concept of The Tap Pack is based around the camaraderie of the infamous Rat Pack club and you’ll see a fab rendition of Sammy Davis Jr. within the show, along with many legendary names of the silver screen, Hollywood and more from a time gone by. But the show is not without modern influence either. The preferential battle of ‘Classics -V- Pop’ not only brought out incredible vocals from these multi-talented stage men, but also a clear vision that tap is here to stay no matter what the music era. I must say “The Way You Make Me Feel” won it over for me.
Thinking I’d be seeing just a ‘dance’ show, I was so surprised at the amount of content variety in the non-stop 80 minutes of tapping action combining singing (these dancers can also belt out the tunes), joking (with each other and with us) and lots of audience interaction (we all had to perfect the beats with claps, stomps and finger-clicking fun).
Of course you are going to see stupendous tappers, but you’re also going to get that talent paired with juggling, hats, canes, bottles, glasses, billiard cues, spotlights and steps, and that’s probably not all – a “different” improvisation number is included in every show and that will truly blow you away if it was anything like what we got to see.
One thing that really stood out to me was that tap doesn’t necessarily need music accompaniment. Though the show uses fantastic music selections, there was also just tapping on its own and that was a very real highlight to remember – I feel this art form is quite unique amongst dancing genres.
These gentlemen in their suave suits and ties prove that BOYS DANCE TOO! They have travelled the world doing so, just read the bios on their website https://www.thetappack.com/
The young boy sitting with his family not far from me, smiled and laughed and clapped all the way through the show. Not at look-at-me ‘show-offs’, but at down-to-earth guys inspiring other boys to dance; as they should be – the enjoyment of dancing is for everyone!
You will learn the history of the show, the dancers and of the birth of tap dancing itself, minus Fred Astaire, though naturally he will get a mention along with an appearance of Ginger Rogers bringing fits of laughter into the audience.
Highly recommend this show for anyone who loves dancing, singing, tricks and fun. The show is so enjoyable that the time just flies by (without an interval) and you will cheer for an encore. Enjoy every moment and definitely take your grandparents to sway to the old’school vibes, they will absolutely LOVE it!
Follow The Tap Pack (not ‘in person’ as they said, haha, but just on Instagram, Facebook, Tinder LOL – yes, these guys are funny!)
Oh, and for a certain politician who recently said he was hoping new social media restrictions would take kids off their screens and into football and netball, well, maybe some of those kids want to take dance lessons instead…..
ON NOW: The Tap Pack is playing in theatres 10th-29th September 2024 around Australia: Dandenong, Frankston, Pakenham, Narre Warren, Warragul, Traralgon, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Newcastle, Hobart, Devonport, Burnie (remember this show has succeeded on the West End in London, the USA and LOTS of other amazing destinations … don’t miss it if it’s near you and tell your friends)
