★★★★★
For years, ballet and hip-hop have been seen as polar opposites on the dance spectrum. The sharp lines and isolations required for hip-hop dancing contrast with the softness and fluidity of ballet movements, and often dancers struggle to transition between the two. Beats on Pointe takes this idea and stamps it far into the ground. The hour-long dance show is a celebration of both styles, and combines them together in new, creative ways.
There’s something for everyone in this show. The dancers are not restricted to ballet and hip-hop, and their numbers include beautiful contemporary dances with well-executed partner lifts, tap and body percussion elements, and exciting tricks like flares and backbends. They constantly surpass expectations; every time you think it couldn’t possibly get any better, the next dance is even more exciting. Particular highlights include a hip-hop scene where they are dressed in neon, giving a nostalgic vibe, and an elegant pointe number where the stage is in darkness and the featured dancer is illuminated by torches held by the backing dancers. The light bounces off the crystals on her tutu and pointe shoes, creating a dazzling effect.
Perhaps where Beats on Pointe excels the most is presenting ballet in a modern light. They dance to popular genres of music, performing a mixture of traditional ballet moves, and other dance steps while en pointe. During ‘Thriller’, one of the dancers performs a moonwalk while en pointe, resulting in a big cheer from the audience. Similarly, a parody of Swan Lake’s ‘Dance of the Cygnets’, where one of the men make up part of the quartet, injects some humour into the show while still respecting the art of ballet.
If you’re looking for a show with perfect technique, Beats on Pointe is not for you. There are moments where the dancers aren’t perfectly synced, some of the technique isn’t quite correct. Yet they all perform with huge smiles on their faces and truly look like they are having a ball. Innovative and exciting, Beats On Pointe is not one to miss.
Beats On Pointe will be performed at Assembly George Square – Gordon Aitken Theatre at 5:35pm until 26 August as part of Edinburgh Fringe 2024.
Words by Ellen Leslie
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