'Tap Dogs' coming to Shanghai from Down Under

One of Australia's most popular tap shows, "Tap Dogs," is heading to Shanghai for its Chinese debut in September.

Australia's highly successful theatrical tap dance show, "Tap Dogs," will make its Chinese debut in Shanghai this September, staging 24 shows over three weeks.

The shows will be part of the Shanghai Tourism Festival.

"Tap Dogs" is taking the world by storm with a show that combines the strength and power of workmen with the precision and talent of tap dancing.

The 80-minute performance combines tap dancing, humor, instant performance, percussion music, water and interaction with audiences. It features Australians' typically active and passionate attitudes toward life, as well as their sense of humor.

The show started in Newcastle, an industrial city north of Sydney. Olivier Award-winning choreographer Dein Perry headed the team, with designer/director Nigel Triffitt, and composer Andrew Wilkie.

"Tap Dogs" was an instant hit at the Sydney Theater Festival, where it had its world premiere in January 1995. It caused an equal sensation at the Edinburgh Festival later that year.

Regarded as a national treasure of Australia, "Tap Dogs" is now approaching 20 years of continuous touring and global success, having performed in 330 cities in 37 countries around the world. More than 12 million people have seen it.

Shanghai will be the only Chinese stop on the tour. The performance venue, Qianshuiwan Culture Center, will set its Q Hall stage as a steel town for the upcoming show.

"It might be the biggest change of the hall so far, so the show will be presented in a perfect way, with elements of steel industry," says Zhu Yin, general manager of the culture center, established in 2007.

There will be room for 300 standing-room-only guests behind 500 seats in the hall.

"Tap Dogs" is also considered to be the residential performance at the culture center, according to Zhu. Some workshops to introduce tap dancing will be held during the show's long run.

The first will be at trendy shopping malls like K11, Kerry Center and Global Harbor at the same time on August 31. Dancers will make personal appearances to promote the show and tap dancing as an art form.

Date: September 2-21, 2pm, 7:50pm

Venue: Q Hall, Qianshuiwan Culture Center, 1/F, 179 Yichang Rd

Tickets: 150-880 yuan

Tel: 4006-228-228 (for ticket sale), 6232-7582 (for inquiry)

Tickets online: www.228.com.cn/ticket-51181327.html