Review: Ballet Revolucion, Civic Theatre

Ballet Revolucion dancers' technique is obvious in every split leap, balance and thrust of uber-mobile pelvis. Photo / Supplied

Technique and talent dazzling enough to outshine any limitations in choreography for Ballet Revolucion.

It starts quietly enough, and only slightly cliched, as the dancers of this Cuban troupe enter the stage one by one, in a mock-up of a class. A gentle confusion of bodies at the barre quickly becomes a perfectly synchronised sequence.

But this lyrical lull is not to last.

A gauze lifts backstage and exposes Revolucion's seven-piece band with a frenzied riff from the man on the big bank of congas. There is another drummer, a trumpet, guitars, a male and a female vocalist.

The energy over the next two rocking hours is eye-watering and stall-shakingly loud, with tracks from Beyonce, Usher, Bruno Mars, J. Lo, Ricky Martin, Prince - and Lorde.

Beautiful beyond belief, an exotic Caribbean flock, the dancers are spectacularly talented and drawn from a nation "born to dance". Each has passed through a Russian-style selection system to enter Havana's prestigious Escuela Nacional de Arte for extensive training in either classical ballet or modern and folkloric dance.

Their technique is obvious in every split leap, balance and thrust of uber-mobile pelvis. The whole performance is shamelessly show-off, to Latin rhythms and African beats, all dressed up in contemporary Cuban style, which often means not very dressed at all. Shiny black leotards sport flesh-baring cut-outs, rippling sets of washboard abs, both male and female, are on constant show and flirty skirts of minute dimensions reveal taut little butts, highlighted in bright satins, at almost every turn. Athleticism goes unbound when the tuxedo front is backless and a girl is held on high by just one arm, unhampered by sleeve.

The uniformly slender men, with muscles of tempered steel, sport interestingly individualistic hairstyles and peacock attitudes. No extreme of physical exertion can disturb the girls' alluring pouts and glamorous smiles.

So what if the choreography is repetitive and prone to jubilant tableaus? Who really cares that the trumpeted blend of ballet with contemporary, hip-hop and break-dance styles occasionally curdles in the mixing bowl? Here comes another virtuoso dancer, in another stunning breakout solo! Another set of riveting costumes! Another encore to this highly manufactured celebration of life, lust and love - and another almost-standing ovation.

What: Ballet Revolucion
Where: Civic Theatre, until Sunday