And… we're back! Firing on four cylinders from Sydney's Carriageworks comes the brightest, the most beautiful, the best dancers in this big brown land of ours. With only ten dancers left in the competition, tonight we're treated to a massive 15 new routines! That's five duos and ten solos, with each solo being danced to a song from a popular movie. Your Top Ten have survived all manner of injuries, being tossed out of their comfort zones and various brushes with the bottom three, but their talent and the judge's favour have kept them on the stage. Your votes keep them there. Who takes your fancy?
Opening the show was a duo routine from the lovely Vanessa and the lovable Jack. Paired together for the first time, these two were super-excited to tackle the technical world of Lyrical Contemporary. Their raw, poetic routine to Seal's emotional love ballad 'Kiss From a Rose' had the judges in agreeance – it was beautiful, quality and wonderful. All up, an excellent start to the show!
Having survived a seatbelt-free rollercoaster ride – and no less than three partners – to get her to Top Ten, Kate has proved herself to be one of the competition's fighters. Crowd fave Rhys breezed through Top Ten, never once being voted into the bottom three. Together, they cut more than a formidable figure on the d-floor. Working with experienced Hip Hop choreographer Supple, who's worked with the likes of Madonna and JT, Kate and Rhys cleaned up with an assured intricate, sexy Hip Hop routine to a remix of 'Give It To Me'. Matt thought the intricacy was phenomenal while Bonnie liked the new match. Jason and Bonnie disagreed on whether Kate had a 'Jazz' face on, but the final words came from an impressed Jason, "Yes, yes, yes!!"
First soloist to test the waters was Henry, performing a powerful, dramatic and strong routine to 'Come and Get Them' from the action film 300. From the flick Hitch, Rhiannon's solo to '1 Thing' showed off this bundle of trouble's cute, urban, slick moves. Next onstage, the always athletic Anthony, and his beautiful, moving, flowing performance to 'The Blowers Daughter' from the excellent film Closer. Finishing off the solo performances was Perth gal Jemma, dancing her very first solo of the show to 'Shake Your Tail Feather', from the cult classic Blues Brothers. Energetic, fun and entertaining – vote to keep any of these dancers in the competition!
Next onstage were Demi and Graeme, dancing an Abstract Contemporary routine to The Strokes' 'Reptilia'. Here the dancer was imagined as insect, in an innovative, absorbing and imaginative routine which had the crowd enraptured. Matt said the dancers became the routine while Bonnie said that it got her adrenaline racing from the word go. They were incredibly difficult shapes to master, and it was just magic. Jason agreed, commenting that good dancing should evoke emotion, and that routine took him on a journey.
Time for a smart selection of solos: first up, Ballet gal Vanessa with a graceful and romantic routine to 'How Do I Live', followed by Jack's tight, cinematic routine to the theme from Mission Impossible, which certainly packed a punch with it's ending. A super-sparkly Kate upped the wow factor with a sexy, fast-paced routine to Whitney Houston's 'Queen of the Night'. She was followed by partner Rhys and his strong, clean, industrial routine to 'Born Slippy' from everyone's favourite film about junkies, Trainspotting.
Dancing together for the first time were Jemma and Anthony performing a flirtatious Cha Cha to a cover of the Prince classic, 'Kiss'. Blinding the crowd in a bright electric blue dress fit for a dancing queen, the pair sparkled. Matt said it got him excited, but the routine wasn't as strong as the music. He felt it was disjointed, but it was really good for what they were given. Bonnie said that Jemma got over the earlier comments made about her solo and was great. Jason was a tad blunter, saying that while Jemma has had a dream run on the show, tonight was not her night. It didn't cut it for him, he didn't feel it.
Last two soloists to do their thang were Graeme with a Contemporary routine to the Queen classic 'Bohemian Rhapsody' from seminal comedy classic, Wayne's World. He was fast followed by the pint-sized ball of fun, Demi, and her cute, sexy locking routine to 'Sex Machine' from the film Legally Blonde.
The last performance for the night came to us care of Rhiannon and Henry. Henry discussed the challenge the routine presented to him in this week's blog, saying he had never felt so much pressure in the competition this far, in that the pair were dancing choreographer Kelley Abbey's story of losing her soulmate in an accident at a young age. What followed was a heart-wrenching Lyrical Jazz routine to 'Fragile', which left both performers overwhelmed. Matt loved vulnerability, while Bonnie said it was the best routine of the night. Jason felt it was slightly under, but it was beautiful, honest and heartfelt.
All in all, a stellar night! Now get voting to keep your fave dancer on the dancefloor!
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