Tap Kids

Source: The List (Issue 635)
Date: 3 August 2009
Written by: Kelly Apter

(0)

This article is from 2009.

Long before Troy and Gabriella took the world by storm in High School Musical, dancer and choreographer, Lisa Hopkins was putting together her own show about the teen years. Starting life as a tap dance workshop in upstate New York, Tap Kids soon blossomed into a fully fledged production.

‘We’re probably the most respected professional tap show in America at the moment,’ says Hopkins proudly – and well she might. Performed by an enthusiastic troupe of 18-21-year-olds, the show has toured America and beyond, always to appreciative audiences. Set in a high school, Tap Kids mixes incredible tap dancing with original music, and captures everyday moments such as lunchtime and detention and pivotal events like falling in love and graduation.

Given that everybody knows what it’s like to go to school – whether you’re still there or it’s just a distant memory – the show’s appeal is multi-generational. ‘Anybody who’s into dance is going to be blown away by the dancing,’ says Hopkins. ‘Young people will fall in love with it because the dancers are so cutting edge and cool – and parents will think they’re amazing role models because they’re so positive. They really cross the cultural barrier.’

New Town Theatre, 0844 477 1000, 7–30 Aug (not 17), 5.45pm, £11–£12 (£9–£10). Previews 5&6 Aug, £7.50

This article is from 2009.

More: Dance, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh Festivals, Fringe, Lisa Hopkins, Previews, Tap, Tap Kids