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Showcasing the talents of, Charlie, Kurt, Ricky-Jai, Willian, and Dhuruva, five male dancers who are physical, masculine, exciting, and athletic. The show will get your heart pumping with the amazing variety of styles from hip hop, to classical, to tap, to acrobatics, to contemporary, and more.
Even if you’re not a dancer yourself, you can’t help but tap your toes, shout and laugh out loud with excitement, while these five men of dance do their thing. The show strikes the perfect balance between edge-of-your-seat dare devil action, irresistible romance, and comedy. It’s more than a dance show, it’s an experience. See it to believe it. |
A 2 & 5 Minute Preview of the Show |
Show Description
Running time: 1 hour
The show opens with a high energy ensemble routine introducing the 5 guys and their various styles, followed by many diverse routines including the latest street moves with Ricky and Dhuruva, and a classical acrobatics story piece with Charlie and Kurt as gladiators. Willian laments a lost love with a song and a lady from our audience. There's a total surprise when a floating green alien takes over the darkened stage. From the world of ‘freak’ Kurt delivers an amazing dance/acro - contemporary routine, then Charlie changes the mood with a reflection and a tongue in cheek song of self-love and male indulgence, to a chuckling audience. The boys join Dhuruva with a taste of Bollywood, who then explain in 4-part harmony what gives them ‘fever’ and Willian and his muscles provide the eye candy as a worker with a hammer. Charlie and Kurt take you back to Vaudeville as the ‘Brothers Tap' and remind you that everything old is new again. The show is humorous and fast moving and is a completely new concept for Fringe audiences. A high energy finale concludes the performance leaving the audience gasping with the strength of male dance.
Produced by Mighty Good Entertainment
Conceived and directed by Malcolm Harslett
Chorography: Charles Herkes, Kurt Benton, Ricky-Jai, Dhuruva Padmanabhan, and Willian Rodrigues.
Lighting: Luke Bartholomew
The show opens with a high energy ensemble routine introducing the 5 guys and their various styles, followed by many diverse routines including the latest street moves with Ricky and Dhuruva, and a classical acrobatics story piece with Charlie and Kurt as gladiators. Willian laments a lost love with a song and a lady from our audience. There's a total surprise when a floating green alien takes over the darkened stage. From the world of ‘freak’ Kurt delivers an amazing dance/acro - contemporary routine, then Charlie changes the mood with a reflection and a tongue in cheek song of self-love and male indulgence, to a chuckling audience. The boys join Dhuruva with a taste of Bollywood, who then explain in 4-part harmony what gives them ‘fever’ and Willian and his muscles provide the eye candy as a worker with a hammer. Charlie and Kurt take you back to Vaudeville as the ‘Brothers Tap' and remind you that everything old is new again. The show is humorous and fast moving and is a completely new concept for Fringe audiences. A high energy finale concludes the performance leaving the audience gasping with the strength of male dance.
Produced by Mighty Good Entertainment
Conceived and directed by Malcolm Harslett
Chorography: Charles Herkes, Kurt Benton, Ricky-Jai, Dhuruva Padmanabhan, and Willian Rodrigues.
Lighting: Luke Bartholomew
Cast
Charles Herkes
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Charlie is a classically trained ballet dancer and actor who’s performed with Queensland Ballet in many works including Nutcracker, Strictly Gershwin, and Swan Lake. He has also danced with an array of choreographers through his time with the company. Charlie’s recent work includes appearances in several films and TV series such as ‘Stateless’, and theatre roles such as ‘Hardy Hero of the Hills’, and 2 sell-out shows in the Fringe 2021, ‘The Man Who Wrote Shakespeare’ and ‘The White Mouse’, where he played multiple roles in both shows. He recently played “The Prince” in Mighty Good Productions reworked version of ‘Cinderella’. Charlie was instrumental in the creation of MEN who DANCE and relishes the opportunity to show his dance abilities to the S.A. audiences.
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Kurt Benton
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Kurt is an experienced performer with extensive training in gymnastics and various styles of dance. He has practice in circus acrobatics, singing, and acting from a very early age. Kurt also teaches a variety of these skills with several of Adelaide’s leading training companies. Some performance credentials include the Royal Adelaide Show, Adelaide Fringe, NYE T20 Cricket, and various gigs and shows with ‘Ding productions’ around South Australia. He is excited to see how the audience reacts to a show with such performance diversity in “Men Who Dance”!
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Ricky-Jai Revilla
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Starting out as a freestyle dancer, Ricky-Jai took to serious dance training at the Centre of Performing arts and has been working as a professional dancer for many years. He is also a professional portrait painter!
This Adelaide local, has received training in Los Angeles and Las Vegas in Hip Hop and Commercial dance. He teaches at numerous Adelaide dance studios and has competed locally and interstate for Hip Hop competitions as part of dance crew ADM (Adelaide Dance Movement). He is a resident performer for the live entertainment company, Ding Productions. Ricky-Jai is also a gameday entertainment fixture for the Adelaide 36ers, Crows, Strikers, and Thunderbirds, and has spent the last 6 years as a dancer in the annual Royal Adelaide Show production. |
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Willian Rodrigues
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Willian, an actor and fitness model, is originally from São Paulo, Brazil, but is now living in South Australia. Since coming here 2 years ago, he has appeared in TV commercials, short films, and several TV series. One of his latest roles is ‘Diego’ a dance instructor in the English TV series “the Tourist” streaming by Stan next year. Willian brings a unique personality a warm voice and sex appeal to the show. This is the first show he has admitted to also being a ‘dancer’ and it won’t be the last as he is a well rounded accomplished performer.
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Dhuruva Padmanabhan
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Dhuruva has devoted his life to becoming a performer. He began his dance life at the age of 5, as his mother is dance teacher in Chennai, and Father a stage and film actor and director. He began with jazz, tap, and contemporary, CSTD, and hip-hop under the UK A ssociation. At the age of 18 he came to Australia to study his Advanced Diploma of Music Theatre and Commercial Dance at ADPI, and attended the Queensland College of Dance. During his time in Brisbane he performed in the NRL Magic Rounds 2019, and the ensemble of The Producers, directed by Joseph Simons. After moving to Adelaide in 2021 he was part of L’Hotel in the Cabaret Festival. He also works with ‘Ding’ Productions alongside some of our other cast members.
We are delighted to welcome this very talented performer to MWD. |
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Crew
Malcolm Harslett
Producer/Director
Malcolm is an accomplished Actor, TV host, writer, producer, director, song writer, designer, artist (painter), and ice skater, and has a wealth of experience in both live performance theatre and television. He is also an acting teacher. Since childhood he had been, and continues to be, the instigator of many theatre and television productions in South Australia. He has toured extensively whilst also continuing as Managing Director of Mighty Good Entertainment since 1978, which includes Star Theatres, the Mighty Good Talent School, Mighty Good Artists, and Mighty Good Productions. He is also the producer and host of the long running TV programme “Our Time” from 2010 to the present.
“MEN who DANCE” creator, and Mighty Good Production’s director, Malcolm Harslett, has always had the idea of an original show featuring men dancing; as men are often overshadowed in number by women in dance. Some years before, he wrote and produced a teen hip hop show called “Hip Hop Harry and the Who Who”, which featured a history of dance. It was aimed at a school holiday market, and had several repeat seasons. He then produced the original show “Teen Dream”, which featured five teenage male singer/actor/dancers, in a story of youngmen realising their dream on a TV reality show. The audience’s reaction enthusiastically proved that they loved seeing young men performing.
When directing a play for the Star Theatre’s Back2Back Short Show Festival, Malcolm cast Charlie Herkes in an acting role. During the rehearsal period he discovered Charlie was also an accomplished classical ballet dancer, trained at VCAS and QLD Ballet Company.He had some injuries and decided to transition into acting.Malcolm then cast Charlie in a further two more of plays for the next Back2Back Short Show Festival and Adelaide Fringe, during which he also danced in a composite variety show called, “Tidd Bits”, with a classical and contemporary piece. The reaction of the audience was so strong that Malcolm decided to pursue the concept of men dancing further with Charlie as the founding member.
After considerable consultation with the Adelaide dance fraternity we discovered Kurt Benton, who began his life as a tumbler and acrobat, and then progressed to ballet, tap, and all other forms of dance. He was excited to be involved particularly because he was given the opportunity to develop his own routines. Kurt then suggested Ricky-Jai Revella, a dancer with a hip-hop and tertiary contemporary dance background, and the show began development. Upon a chance phone call, Willian Rodrigues came to an audition meeting and was excited by the idea. Malcolm had previously worked with Willian when he played a reindeer at Santa’s Wonderland and knew he had great performance ability. While not a trained dancer Willian had danced socially as part of his Brazilian cultural background, and very quickly, with the assistance of the other 3 dancers, learned the choreography. Willian also introduced an accomplished hip-hop dancer and D.J.Filipe Rodrigues, who was also from Brazil and visiting Adelaide. The first season of the show opened to excellent reviews in the Back2Back Short ShowFestival, as the headline show, on October 20th 2021.The show also developed a surprising comedic flair that complimented the fact that the men also sang in multiple pieces. The show had taken shape as a variety dance show featuring men.
Due to the success of the first six performances, the show was then remounted for the Adelaide Fringe 2022, once again as the headline show at Star Theatres. Filipe had to return to Brazil and the role was recast with Indian dancer, Dhuruva Padmanabhan, who had come to SA to take the music theatre course at Uni SA. Dhuruva’s extra contribution to the show was welcomed. The show grew to a 60 minute high energy extravaganza with multiple dance styles, singing, and comedic moments. The show won a Bank SA sponsorship and also a Bank SA Award. It was renamed “Alpha” as it was the “first production”of the brand MEN who DANCE, as it featured “Alpha Males”, original choreography, and a new performance concept.
When directing a play for the Star Theatre’s Back2Back Short Show Festival, Malcolm cast Charlie Herkes in an acting role. During the rehearsal period he discovered Charlie was also an accomplished classical ballet dancer, trained at VCAS and QLD Ballet Company.He had some injuries and decided to transition into acting.Malcolm then cast Charlie in a further two more of plays for the next Back2Back Short Show Festival and Adelaide Fringe, during which he also danced in a composite variety show called, “Tidd Bits”, with a classical and contemporary piece. The reaction of the audience was so strong that Malcolm decided to pursue the concept of men dancing further with Charlie as the founding member.
After considerable consultation with the Adelaide dance fraternity we discovered Kurt Benton, who began his life as a tumbler and acrobat, and then progressed to ballet, tap, and all other forms of dance. He was excited to be involved particularly because he was given the opportunity to develop his own routines. Kurt then suggested Ricky-Jai Revella, a dancer with a hip-hop and tertiary contemporary dance background, and the show began development. Upon a chance phone call, Willian Rodrigues came to an audition meeting and was excited by the idea. Malcolm had previously worked with Willian when he played a reindeer at Santa’s Wonderland and knew he had great performance ability. While not a trained dancer Willian had danced socially as part of his Brazilian cultural background, and very quickly, with the assistance of the other 3 dancers, learned the choreography. Willian also introduced an accomplished hip-hop dancer and D.J.Filipe Rodrigues, who was also from Brazil and visiting Adelaide. The first season of the show opened to excellent reviews in the Back2Back Short ShowFestival, as the headline show, on October 20th 2021.The show also developed a surprising comedic flair that complimented the fact that the men also sang in multiple pieces. The show had taken shape as a variety dance show featuring men.
Due to the success of the first six performances, the show was then remounted for the Adelaide Fringe 2022, once again as the headline show at Star Theatres. Filipe had to return to Brazil and the role was recast with Indian dancer, Dhuruva Padmanabhan, who had come to SA to take the music theatre course at Uni SA. Dhuruva’s extra contribution to the show was welcomed. The show grew to a 60 minute high energy extravaganza with multiple dance styles, singing, and comedic moments. The show won a Bank SA sponsorship and also a Bank SA Award. It was renamed “Alpha” as it was the “first production”of the brand MEN who DANCE, as it featured “Alpha Males”, original choreography, and a new performance concept.
A second show is now in development
Reviews
Stage Whispers Review - 5/5 Stars
"Men who Dance is a joyous exploration of diverse dance styles from five extremely talented men" - Barry Hill
Click here to read
The Advertiser Review - 4/5 Stars
"A solid hour of moves that run the gamut from classical and modern, through hip-hop, freestyle and even a dash of Bollywood" - Peter Burdon
Click here to read
Barefoot Review
"In the opening number, the five men who dance energise the cabaret room in a robust display of prancing machismo while dressed in unbuttoned white shirts flying away off their bodies -beautiful like angels’ wings. This is going to be good!" - David Grybowski
Click here to read
"Men who Dance is a joyous exploration of diverse dance styles from five extremely talented men" - Barry Hill
Click here to read
The Advertiser Review - 4/5 Stars
"A solid hour of moves that run the gamut from classical and modern, through hip-hop, freestyle and even a dash of Bollywood" - Peter Burdon
Click here to read
Barefoot Review
"In the opening number, the five men who dance energise the cabaret room in a robust display of prancing machismo while dressed in unbuttoned white shirts flying away off their bodies -beautiful like angels’ wings. This is going to be good!" - David Grybowski
Click here to read
What Audience Have Said About The Show
“A great variety! Showcasing Adelaide’s talented MEN.
Sexy, fun, energetic, engaging and entertaining”
5 Stars …………………Sonja, Michelle and Carly
“Really entertaining.
Love the different genres and representation of male dancers.
Love the costumes and lighting”.
5 Stars …………………Ruth
“Perfect show for a fun night out.
These guys know how to please a crowd”
5 Stars …………………Emily-Jo Davidson
“Popcorn guy was great, a brilliant variety of dance”
5 Stars …………………Greg Bartholomew
“Very enjoyable, sometimes funny and very sexy.
Was never bored from beginning to the end”.
4½ Stars …………………Ingrid Bartholomew
“Hot and spicy”
5 Stars…………………Jason Ken
“Variety of strengths”
5 Stars …………………Nicholas Welch
“You ready for some spice? Brilliant range of styles”
5 Stars …………………Indigo Radbone
“Spicy and Diverse”
5 Stars …………………Yogi Dev
“Extremely exciting and fun!
High energy and highly recommended”
5 Stars …………………Selina Spears
“Fun, exciting and great entertainment.
The dance skills and amazing”.
5 Stars …………………Kristy
“After lockdown a breath of fresh air, extremely good, highly recommended”
5 Stars …………………Alana Spears
“Great entertainment to see an ‘all man’ dance show.
Get a group together you won’t be disappointed”.
4 Stars …………………Leona Davidson
“A group of mixed dancers, some creative and funny moments…great to see men dancing, very entertaining”
5 Stars …………………Jane Nines
“Entertaining and funny performance full of so much talent.
The room defiantly heated up a few degrees”.
4 Stars …………………Lauren J
“Cheeky! Something for the girls…and some guys.
Unique acts and fun interaction”.
4 Stars …………………Kristina
“Athletically mesmerizing, incredible and worth the world of theatre and dance. Fabulous”.
5 Stars …………………Rachel High
Some extremely talented men, performing dancing and singing, humour and some mild (but inviting) nudity.
Great show for a ladies night out!”
4 ½ Stars …………………Leigh Anne
“Boy’s just want to have fun, and the girls all love it!
The fabulous five dancers, brilliant blokes who don’t hold back”
…………………Russell Starke OAM
“A very different vibe to girls dancing, loved every moment!”
5 Stars …………………Rebecca
“Gravity defying masculinity using every inch of the stage floor and the air above.
Funny, unusual, astounding, completely unexpected. I could watch them over and over”.
5 Stars …………………Trude
“I really enjoyed the show it was extremely fun and interactive with the audience”.
5 Stars …………………Simon Tedmanson
“It’s so great to see so many styles of dance on stage again. Very talented artists!”
4 ½ Stars …………………Erin
Great performance.
Will be recommending to friends and family who love Men who Dance.
Keep up the great work!”
4 Stars …………………Hannah
Ricky in the tartan shirt is Unreal. Filipe is unreal. Willian is a sex-bomb. Tap dance hilarious.
Guys in skin suits amazing. Loved it, so funny and such talented dancers”.
5 Stars …………………unsigned
Sexy, fun, energetic, engaging and entertaining”
5 Stars …………………Sonja, Michelle and Carly
“Really entertaining.
Love the different genres and representation of male dancers.
Love the costumes and lighting”.
5 Stars …………………Ruth
“Perfect show for a fun night out.
These guys know how to please a crowd”
5 Stars …………………Emily-Jo Davidson
“Popcorn guy was great, a brilliant variety of dance”
5 Stars …………………Greg Bartholomew
“Very enjoyable, sometimes funny and very sexy.
Was never bored from beginning to the end”.
4½ Stars …………………Ingrid Bartholomew
“Hot and spicy”
5 Stars…………………Jason Ken
“Variety of strengths”
5 Stars …………………Nicholas Welch
“You ready for some spice? Brilliant range of styles”
5 Stars …………………Indigo Radbone
“Spicy and Diverse”
5 Stars …………………Yogi Dev
“Extremely exciting and fun!
High energy and highly recommended”
5 Stars …………………Selina Spears
“Fun, exciting and great entertainment.
The dance skills and amazing”.
5 Stars …………………Kristy
“After lockdown a breath of fresh air, extremely good, highly recommended”
5 Stars …………………Alana Spears
“Great entertainment to see an ‘all man’ dance show.
Get a group together you won’t be disappointed”.
4 Stars …………………Leona Davidson
“A group of mixed dancers, some creative and funny moments…great to see men dancing, very entertaining”
5 Stars …………………Jane Nines
“Entertaining and funny performance full of so much talent.
The room defiantly heated up a few degrees”.
4 Stars …………………Lauren J
“Cheeky! Something for the girls…and some guys.
Unique acts and fun interaction”.
4 Stars …………………Kristina
“Athletically mesmerizing, incredible and worth the world of theatre and dance. Fabulous”.
5 Stars …………………Rachel High
Some extremely talented men, performing dancing and singing, humour and some mild (but inviting) nudity.
Great show for a ladies night out!”
4 ½ Stars …………………Leigh Anne
“Boy’s just want to have fun, and the girls all love it!
The fabulous five dancers, brilliant blokes who don’t hold back”
…………………Russell Starke OAM
“A very different vibe to girls dancing, loved every moment!”
5 Stars …………………Rebecca
“Gravity defying masculinity using every inch of the stage floor and the air above.
Funny, unusual, astounding, completely unexpected. I could watch them over and over”.
5 Stars …………………Trude
“I really enjoyed the show it was extremely fun and interactive with the audience”.
5 Stars …………………Simon Tedmanson
“It’s so great to see so many styles of dance on stage again. Very talented artists!”
4 ½ Stars …………………Erin
Great performance.
Will be recommending to friends and family who love Men who Dance.
Keep up the great work!”
4 Stars …………………Hannah
Ricky in the tartan shirt is Unreal. Filipe is unreal. Willian is a sex-bomb. Tap dance hilarious.
Guys in skin suits amazing. Loved it, so funny and such talented dancers”.
5 Stars …………………unsigned
Do you want this show in your venue?
Here's the techincal requirements:
Sound
Basic FOH sound system with aux cord for laptop.
General foldback.
4 wireless headset mics
Lighting
Required
General DS wash
5 profiles DS
5 profiles US
1 centre middle profile
RGB LED strip side lighting (can be provided)
Desired but can run without depending on venue
Colour back light/above light
Colour wash
DS OP & prompt floor light (preferably RGB, only if venue has cyc)
Moving profiles/moving washes/moving gobos
Projection/Curtains – optional, but will greatly enhance show’s visuals
Cyclorama that can also have black curtains drawn in front of.
Projector (brighter=better) – it is possible for the show to run without it
Basic FOH sound system with aux cord for laptop.
General foldback.
4 wireless headset mics
Lighting
Required
General DS wash
5 profiles DS
5 profiles US
1 centre middle profile
RGB LED strip side lighting (can be provided)
Desired but can run without depending on venue
Colour back light/above light
Colour wash
DS OP & prompt floor light (preferably RGB, only if venue has cyc)
Moving profiles/moving washes/moving gobos
Projection/Curtains – optional, but will greatly enhance show’s visuals
Cyclorama that can also have black curtains drawn in front of.
Projector (brighter=better) – it is possible for the show to run without it
Contact Information
Star Theatres
Ph: 08 2341800 or 0417 778 118
Ph: 08 2341800 or 0417 778 118