'Burn the Floor' thrills its Beijing audience

A stanza of flamenco led by two dancers. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

As the curtain opened, a gush of fragrance covered the front row of the theatre, and a group of dancers – male and female - in dazzling Latin costumes shined in the spotlight.

The audience nestled in the Rulun Hall seats leaned their bodies forward before regaining their upright posture. Needless to say, it was hard to stay away from the edge of your seat as the audience was in for a feast.

The feast, Burn the Floor, is a two-hour Broadway sensation created by dozens of world champion dancers. Since the show's beginning in 1999, it's received praises from theatre reviews including the New York Times who called it a "ballroom dancing extravaganza".

Inspired by Elton John's 50-year-old birthday party, the show is choreographed by Australian producer Harley Medcalf. By mixing and matching samba, cha-cha, waltz, flamenco, and a charismatic duet into a dancing drama, the show creates an ultimate high voltage theatrical experience wherever it goes.