Tap dancing, as a whole, would usually bring to mind a nostalgic air of old 1940’s Hollywood, featuring singers and dancers hoofing to high-energy numbers.
Other than Australian Dein Perry’s West End hit ‘Hot Show Shuffle’, and his hit film and show ‘Tap Dogs’ a few years later; I had not seen a contemporary tap show in a while.
So when I excitedly entered the black box theatre at Chapel Off Chapel to see ‘Melancholia’, by Studio Stocks, I knew I was in for a night of absolute, mesmerising entertainment. Mainly, because I knew that Garry Stocks’ contemporary tap production was not only going to deliver a night of high octane, high-energy tap, but is also known to have turned the art of tap on-its-head and inside-out. Taking this specialised dance form to a whole new realm: of thought-provoking entertainment for the modern age.
From the moment this show began, I was immersed by eight dancers slumbering onstage, dressed in beiges, whites, blacks and navy: embodying me in an immediate state of desolation. Encasing the audience in a chasm of moody music, while turbulent sounds strum. Having dancers moving in slow motion, as if locked under a stormy ocean’s currents. Where the mind of an audience can lay still, at least for a while, save for the steady rhythm of the music, and the mercurial lighting matching it.
As the show progressed, it weaved my thoughts in and through: an artstorm of emotional exploration. For each dance number explored the various ways mental health affects our mind. How sometimes, we must face challenging times in our lives, and work out ways to come out the other side.
In each tap dance sequence, Stocks successfully expresses these innovative concepts, by taking us on his own profound journey – through the eyes of a restless mind seeking solace. Scenes of dancers tumbling in tormented dreams. A mate-ship scene with Stocks trying to get through the physicality of work through his struggles. Even a show-stopping, heart-wrenching ballet sequence where Stocks exemplifies relationship grief, as he dances a dreamy pas-de-deux – yet the one he loves walks off stage, leaving him alone once again. Yet, straight after, he shows resilience by bonding with his group of friends. With them rallying around him – giving him hope and support. The support of community, that helps us all heal and find resilience when life gives us lemons.
Each of the company’s dancers are deserving of their own accolades, bringing their individual set of energies to this electrifying experience.
Bill Simpson brings a rough-ish, larrikin-style charm to his tap dancing, complete with brown rugged boots and high-octane shuffling, making him a joy to watch.
Claire Stubs brings an air of elegance to her dancing with fluid, graceful movements that pair beautifully with her unique tap style of sleek prowess.
Lucas Thompson, along with his excellent tapping, is certainly a performer to keep watch of, particularly as he has the fluidity and capacity to express the moods of every single dance sequence he appears in; with an air of extreme professionalism.
And finally, former ballerina Jane Wood, who, together with Garry Stocks, performed such touching choreography that it was simply breathtaking to witness. The fluidity of movement in and away from each other, the intertwining of two people so close yet so broken apart from one another, as if in different worlds. This sequence alone, exemplified the emotional toll of grief and how it weaves in and out of our lives. This moment elevated this production to another level completely, leaving the audience spellbound.
Simply said, Melancholia, conceived and directed by Garry Stocks, combined with the mesmerising lighting design by Sidney Younger, and a string of music makers, truly set the heart of the show ablaze – getting the audience to rise to their feet in rapturous applause. Making Melancholia’s opening night a resounding success.
If you are looking for a highly-energetic, rhythmic and forward-thinking tap experience that reaches emotional levels beyond the expected, then Melancholia is the show for you to see right now.
To book tickets to Melancholia, please visit https://www.garrystocks.com/melancholia-studio-stocks.
Photographer: Brodie James, Bill Simpson
