CAROLINE CULOT Norwich Theatre Royal

CAROLINE CULOT

> Norwich Theatre Royal

Michael Flatley may be retired but the spirit of his Irish dance lives on and on with shows like this one, which is a thrilling spectacle from start to finish.

You come out of the theatre tapping your feet all the way to the car park after two hours of a varied programme including the phenomenal dance routines the Irish International Dance Company have become renowned for, and many other different styles of dance and song.

Salsa, flamenco, tap and jazz all feature, with a heart-stopping finale when the company dances in black bowler hats, Cabaret-style.

And though you might be looking for that one person who is a micro second behind the others, you won't see it; the dancers effortlessly keep time which is, of course, what makes the routines such a spectacle.

Last night's performance had the added interest of a performance by the Three Irish Tenors - good-looking lads in suits with marvellous voices.

And though we might be spoilt at the moment with the likes of G4 and Il Divo, these guys brought the house down with their rendition of Nessun Dorma and an absolutely fantastic version of We are the Champions.

All in all it was a night of energy and razzmatazz with a real Irish flavour.

The only thing I would say in criticism was that the company should not bother with the story of spirits and spooky music at the beginning - this is one show which does not need a storyline or any excuse to be there.

The dancers are enough all by themselves.