NO-ONE was prepared for the riveting performances and dazzling choreography which the Classique Dance Company brought to the National Cultural Centre when they produced ‘Pizzazz’, the dance production of the century. With mesmerizing routines mixed with awesome theatrics, instructor Clive Prowell pulled off yet another successful production.
The opening dance sizzled, with the dancers, dressed in black metallic costumes, displaying choreography that played havoc with the senses. This made way for Travis Bowen to display his vocal talent as he performed ‘Tonight I Am Loving You’, a piece totally enjoyed by the large audience.
Next up were some very saucy and provocative dancers, who took to the stage in the Indian segment, totally thrilling with pulsating hip movements and ‘belly rolling’, which were accentuated with graceful arm movements and sensual gyrations. However, it was the heavyset dancer, ‘John’ who had the audience screaming as he stormed the stage, truly teaching Guyana that Indian choreography is not limited only to that race.
Then the big curvy girls took over, and they also were quite an appealing sight as they rolled those queen-sized hips and rear ends, taking the patrons to peaks of excitement.
The fusion with the Futuristic dancers was a brilliant combination. These guys surely got moves… as could be seen with their ‘robot dance routine’, and fusion of Passa Passa, dancehall, and freestyle presentations.
Up came the very attractive ladies again, looking like erotic oriental divas, and their moves and aura reflected just the same. They were graceful, yet riveting; refreshing, and yet so sensual.
And indeed, Leslyn and Melessa Payne were the show-stoppers in this segment. These girls are hot!!! And they totally defied any negativity when they came on stage to dance to a fusion of Niki Minaj and Beyonce’s most selective singles.
However, the NATIONAL Cultural Centre came apart when Paul came on stage and really showed the ladies the importance of having their dudes ‘Put A Ring On It’. His butt-shaking, body contortions, and gyrations had the audience collapsing in fits of hysterical laughter. This dancer was also stunning in all his solo performances.
Travis Bowen and Meleesa Payne’s presentation of ‘balay’ was good, since it was creatively mixed with the dancehall theatrics by the Futurist Dancers. Leslyn, in really creative telephone conversation about wanting a director, was as entertaining as when she called out her overpowering female bodyguard when she was dramatically confronted by the every ready Classique Dancers.
The bodyguard, of course, on seeing the menacing group, ran offstage, leaving her at their mercy. Bombshell reiterates that this show was magnificent, and the fusion of dance, drama and theatrics was astounding.
The faceoff between Travis and Paul at one interval was indeed exciting, and each dancer really showed why he was called the best in Guyana.
Then there was the segment where the men faced off against the women in raging battle, using sleek choreography made possible by Mr. Prowell. This was truly satisfying.
The ‘Money Dance’, depicting the cravings for cash, was not bad, but the males in the African segment were the act of the night. The moves were precise; they never missed a beat, and their presentation took you to the dense jungles, sandy dunes, and marble-stoned windy terraces of Africa.
Leslyn is indeed the diva of the stage, and she is really talented, I must say. She reduced the audience to giggles and helpless laughter as she fused drama and dance, performing with the group. Here, she was reduced to anguished tears to see her love marry another, but with disdain, bribed Paul who played the ‘sweet-man’ to get her to at least sneak a dance with the groom, or get her close up so that she can rub his head as the bride smiled dreamily, quite unaware of what was happening.
Several lucky persons won themselves Blackberry handsets, compliments of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T).
When the curtains came down on the night’s proceedings, even Bombshell had to agree that the Classique Dance Company was indeed a force to be reckoned with.