HERCULES by New Art Club
Nottingham Playhouse

Billed as a dance cabaret for all ages and I think that just about sums it all up. A new twist on the 12 labours of Hercules through various dance styles and comedy by Tom Roden and Pete Shenton who are New Art Club, with a little bit of help from their friends and co produced by Dance4 and Nottingham Playhouse.

It's nice to see history presented to kids in a way that they will take interest and remember. Just think of the TV programme "Horrible Histories" and how popular that show is in the theatre, and this could replicate that, although I have a feeling that Tom and Pete have been doing this longer than the Horrible Histories have been touring.

The show is a melting pot of dance style ranging from contemporary to ballet and jive using music that will not be unfamiliar to the younger members of the audience, some of the Grandparents may have problems spotting a few of the tunes but that didn't stop them from joining in with the audience participation, very much in the panto style of entertainment, and there were many elements of this throughout the show.

What I thought was really well thought out was when we were all asked to close our eyes and then open them when told, and the actors changed positions on stage, which may sound a bit boring, but you had to be there to get the effect!

A really well thought out show, with some nice comedy moments, wacky, colourful, audience participation, plenty of soaking with water guns, and at just 90 minutes long, there's just no way that either the adults or kids can get bored.

The "Hercules" UK Tour starts in October 2014 and you can find out more about New Art Club at www.newartclub.org