Have you got grand final fever? It's definitely the hottest fever going round town and everyone's hankering for a piece of the pie. Tonight, the countdown heats up to discovering who will be Australia's favourite dancer. From thousands to just four – and these guys have sure been put through their paces this week! Each dancing a duo with each other as well as a group routines - let's find out how the Fantastic Four fared.
Kicking off the show with a supersexy Cha-Cha - choreographed by the master of Ballroom, Mr. Jason Gilkison - were the always lovable Demi and Jack. Burning up the dancefloor in a shimmery white dress that showed off her lean, mean, dancing bod machine, this routine had the saucy Demi teasing partner Jack all over the stage, even ending up on the judges' podium! This wonderful routine had the judges in agreeance – the wow-factor was sky-high. Matt said they did such a great job and unlike last time they danced a Ballroom style (the Rumba), this time he really bought the connection between both of them. Bonnie commented that the opening was particularly sexy. She said that Demi could achieve anything and Jack was just sensational. It was a routine where two people became one. Jason said the Cha Cha, developed in the ‘50s, is a dance of joy so both performers fulfilled for him what the Cha Cha is all about. He commented on Jack's mastery of the Ballroom stance; the feel and look, and that Demi eats it up with her face. All up, a fantastic way to kick off the show!
Attention! Hup, hup!! Kate and Rhys are next onstage, decked out as identical English National Guards for a unison-heavy routine from Supple. "My intent was to show there's a human side to people like policeman as well," he says. "It starts with a military drill, then they funk it up, then it finishes with a military drill. It's sort of like that scene in Police Academy where the main one sneaks out to go out partying, and comes back in the next morning." Matt said was a very, very difficult routine to be handed at this point in the show. They started out really together but lost a bit of unison towards the end. For that style of Hip Hop, they did a good job. Bonnie said that for such an intricate routine they did an excellent job. Jason complimented choreographer Supple, and how good it was to have something quite different onstage. He went on to point out this was a very, very difficult routine, one that would take weeks and weeks of rehearsal to master, and what they achieved in two days was brilliant.
To Snow Patrol's beautiful rock ballad 'Chasing Cars', Demi and Rhys are next up with a joyous, free-flowing Lyrical Contemporary routine from choreographer Debbie Ellis. "This routine is about finding their inner child," she explains. "We get so caught up in chasing our life, sometimes we forget that we need to live our life. I think we can learn from kids - sit on a swing and just enjoy life every now and then. Both dancers were very tired this week but they walked in there and were willing were get into it as much as their bodies would allow it. It was challenging. Am I confident? I'm hoping to be confident," she laughs. Lucky for Debbie, these dancers nailed it. Matt started off by saying how well they did after such a big week, and that while Demi did well with the big jumps and leaps, some of the in-between moments weren't as strong. He said that Rhys had beautiful technique. Bonnie said the partner work was great, and that Demi was back to being barefoot in the park – just lovely. Jason said that considering Rhys had been waiting for a Contemporary routine, good things come to those who wait - the routine sat really well on him, and he really suited the long, languid, lyrical chorey. He said that Demi was slightly short in form, but considering she is the only self taught dancer left in the competition, what a massively amazing attempt.
Kate and Jack are next onstage in a beautiful, graceful Lyrical Jazz routine. "It's about a man coming home from war, and the couple reuniting," says choreographer Jet. "I thought it'd be really appropriate for this day and age – well, probably a few days and ages! It was heaven working with Jack and Kate, but they're just doing too much, they were so tired. Both rehearsals I had them after they had already been working with two other choreographers doing two other pieces. In saying that, every time I had them they worked so hard." Matt said that both dancers excelled and they really tackled everything they had been given so far. He said Jacks pirouettes were hot! They had a great connection, and that both these Jazz dancers, were amazing. Bonnie agreed; it was so wonderful, it made her head spin! Jason said that when a great couple like this performs, he has very high expectations as they're both formidable dancers… and there was no disappointment. Kate was a mature, amazing dancer and Jack, the great turner, was always dancing in control.
Next up Kate and Demi play tribute to the definitive silent film star, Mr. Charlie Chaplin, in Supple's second routine for the night. "I wanted to let the audience get a nice grasp of the energy and the concept of silent film in a live stage performance," he explains "It's Hip Hop dancing with a contemporary approach using Mozart's 11th piano concerto. It's based on a scene where Charlie is on a tram, and a policeman is telling him to get off, and Charlie is telling him it's his home. It's very tongue in cheek, extremely technical, very quick. The musicality is very important and the guys are giving it their best to honour Charlie's work." Matt said it was a great idea and a great concept. He enjoyed their characterization, but it was a shame they didn't dance as girls. Bonnie said they were both amazing, and hopes that Australia looks across at everything they've done tonight. He commented that Demi's characterization of Charlie Chaplin would usually take dancers months to study, but she did it in hours. Jason agreed with Matt, it that it was a shame not to see girls dancing as girls. It was likable, interesting and nice, but that routine didn't show the best of what they can be as dancers.
The Musical Theatre-loving Jack got his wish this week when he found out he would be dancing Broadway. His partner-in-crime? Rhys. "We're referencing Bob Fosse, who choreographed Chicago, and at the same time making it a bit Marx Brothers." explains choreographer Adam Williams. "But it's not a dance-off. It's two boys entertaining. There's a lot of unison, so we get to see the boys dancing side by side. The two boys are exceptional. It was fantastic working with them. They had such a tough week, but they're such intellectual dancers and they took it all onboard." The tight, complex Broadway number had the judges. Matt said it was a perfect way to showcase how strong both boys were and they nailed it so well. Bonnie said Adam Williams did a fabulous job, and she's been waiting for this moment. She said the camaraderie between them was excellent and they really showed why they are in the Top Four. Jason said that is a great routine for where we're at in the competition. It showed him all of both dancers. He said that while they were matched in flair and technique, Jack took his lines to the extreme a little more than Rhys. For him, Jack came out slightly on top.
And if you didn't think that was enough bang for your buck, your Top Four are back onstage to close this rollercoaster of a show with a sexy Hip Hop routine, showing us their sweet street urban moves. Is it hot in here or what?
Well there you have it Australia! You have a whole week to vote for your favourite dancer – see you back here for Grand Final on Sunday 27th!
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