Two Hits and A Ms

Two Hits and A Ms is a 60 minute showcase of all things tap and the music that made it popular. The show is the brainchild of Christopher Horsey, an original cast member of Hot Shoe Shuffle and Tap Dogs, as well as a former Fred Astaire International Tap Champion.

Hot on his heels is Bobby Fox, four times World Irish Dance Champion and past member of Riverdance, who also originated the role of Franki Valli in the Australian production of Jersey Boys, which he performed over 850 times. Nicole Melloy completes our top class (top hat, white tie and tails) tapping trio. Nicole is an Australian theatre star who has performed in dozens of musicals and operas as recent as Victorian Opera's production of The Who's Tommy.

The ritzy opener 'I've Got Rhythm' saw the tap trio dressed in tuxedos dancing for their lives. Effective solo spotlighting plus the backing of a seven piece dance band made it even more exciting!  The crowd knew they were in for something special. The glitz didn't stop there!  For the rest of the show Nicole changed gowns after each song and dance number. Christopher and Bobby also changed attire to suit their routines.  The trio danced, tapped and sang effortlessly without any hint of tiredness. No mean 'feet' considering this was their second performance in three hours.

Talk about variety!  Throughout the show we got to hear a candid conversation between the three about their backgrounds in showbiz, which was a nice touch. There was an enthralling scene where the boys dribbled basketballs and Nicole skipped rope while still tapping. In between one costume change the band presented Gershwin's  'S'wonderful' with interlaced morsels of 'Rhapsody in Blue' played by pianist and Musical Director Craig Schneider, who also gave us a cameo of his tap dancing skills. Didn't see that coming! Christopher takes us back to the time when he won the Fred Astaire competition by performing the exact steps he did as a 12 year old, along with Nicole in a beautiful rendition of  'Begin The Beguine'. There is so much to enjoy in this showcase.  

My personal favorites were: 'Singin' In The Rain' (Bobby and his umbrella, dancing up a storm, complete with rain sound effects) - even the band getting into the act by wearing yellow raincoats; 'Me And My Shadow' (Christopher, still soft shoe shuffling and tapping as well as he did 30 years ago); 'Gimme Gimme' from Thoroughly Modern Millie (Nicole's vocals bringing down the house) and the vivacious finale 'Sing Sing Sing!', performed by the trio and band.

Two Hits and A Ms proves that tap dancing is still a great channel used to tell stories and is not a dying art. The happy faces and the rapturous applause from the audience tell us otherwise. 'Tap Your Troubles Away' for an hour. Isn't that what this world needs more of right now!

Jonathan Cox

Images: Supplied