Following sold-out houses in London, Edinburgh, Beijing, Berlin, and fresh from sold out shows at The Sydney Opera House, Australia’s newest and hottest tap dance sensation, The Tap Pack have been touring regional WA this week and on friday they’ll arrive in Perth for two nights at The Regal Theatre in Subiaco.
The Tap Pack conjure up a modern twist to the crooners and artists from the 50s through to the present day. Featuring songs from Sinatra, Dean Martin & Sammy Davis Jr to Sheeran, Bublé and Beyonce.
OUTinPerth dhatted to Thomas J Egan, one of the creators of the show. He’s previously appeared in many stage shows including Singin in the Rain, Fame The Musical and The Great Gatsby, and he shared why he loves tap dancing so much.
When did you love of tap dancing begin?
Well my mother owns a dance school. so as soon I was about two she started putting me in tap shoes and teaching me steps. That’s how I started when I was young.
When I was older I did a tap festival ,there’s an amazing tap festival called the Melbourne International Tap Festival and there was a dancer there Jason Daniel Smith. In the lobby there was videos of the Nicholas Brothers, and Fred Astaire, Eleanor Powell – all the old time tap dancers.
It really inspired me, I went away wanting to practice every day, and just make tap my focus.
Why do you think tap lives on, it was hugely popular in the thirties and forties, but why does it stay relevant today?
I think its an entity to itself. It’s a mixture of music and dance, and it’s heavily rhythmical which is enjoyable to listen to – if it’s done well. It falls into a category of its own. It think people enjoy it because it falls into a category of its own. It’s not like other old forms of dance that aren’t around anymore.
The Tap Pack, a show with a whole bunch of guys, how did it come together?
We were at the pub having some drinks and we were talking about coming up with our own show, rather than working for other people. We were really into the idea of combining the Rat Pack and the jazz music, and especially the camaraderie of the Rat Pack, their fun and mateship, with the theme of tap.
We loved the idea of fusing those things together, we started small but its grown and now we’ve been lucky to do seasons in London, Beijing and Berlin.
How did Chinese audiences take to tap dancing?
They loved it, we took a lot of the dialogue out but left the gags in. We did the same thing while in Germany, it translated really well. In China though everyone has their phone out filming everything – it’s just normal there.
There’s a big fashion element with The Rat Pack.
We love the fashion, that a big influence for us. We love the suit and ties, I read that Bill Bojangles was always immaculately dressed.
The boys will be heading to Perth for two shows on July 5th and 6th. Tickets: www.thetappack.com
OIP Staff
