Press Release: Blaze, Peacock Theatre 18 February - 8 March 2014

[Jan McNulty]

BLAZE
Peacock Theatre, WC2
Tuesday 18 February - Saturday 8 March
Performances Tue – Sat at 7.30pm, Sat at 2.30pm & Sun at 2pm & 6pm
Tickets: £12 - £38
Ticket office: 0844 412 4322 or www.sadlerswells.com

“The Show Has Enough Voltage To Light A Town For A Year” Financial Times

 

The international street dance sensation Blaze returns to the Peacock Theatre from Tuesday 18 February - Saturday 8 March 2014 after its explosive world premiere in 2010 and a phenomenally successful world tour, wowing more than 300,000 people across the globe. Blaze recently toured to Sydney, Bangkok, Amsterdam and Paris. The production features some of the best B-Boys and street dancers from around the world, mixing nightclub vibes with West End production values in a high-energy theatrical show of non-stop dance.

 

Featuring music by Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Kanye West, David Guetta and Snoop Dogg, Blaze takes the raw energy and athleticism of street dance and combines it with high-end production values, resulting in a show that’s perfect for the whole family.

Blaze reunites a creative team that combines experience of working with the world’s top performers including The Rolling Stones, Jay Z, Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé. Directed by acclaimed West End director and choreographer Anthony Van Laast (Mamma Mia!, Sister Act), and with stunning set designs by Es Devlin who has worked with artists including Take That, Pet Shop Boys, Kanye West, Lady Gaga and Russell Maliphant (The Rodin Project). Devlin’s recent work includes designing the London 2012 Olympic Closing Ceremony. The set acts as a canvas for the interactive video projections by digital audiovisual artists Robin McNicholas and Mehmet Akten, using the latest video mapping technology.

 

The production also brings together exceptional choreographic, including Mike Song (America's Best Dance Crew), Kenny Wormald (2009 MTV Video Music Awards Michael Jackson tribute, So You Think You Can Dance), and Lyle Beniga (feature film Fame).

 

Finding inspiration from the US hip hop scene of the 80s, street dance fuses many different niche styles including breakdance, popping, locking and krumping. Much of the movement is improvised in rehearsals and later perfected by the dancers and choreographers.

 

Street dance has seen a significant rise in popularity on stage, at music festivals and on reality TV shows such as Britain’s Got Talent and has captured the imagination of a whole new fan base. Blaze perfectly taps into this cultural phenomenon and promises to delight street dance enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

“A feel-good riot of hip hop dance” The Observer