Groove On Down The Road, Birmingham Hippodrome - review with pictures

Mentored by professional dance company ZooNation, two dozen pupils from schools in Wolverhampton and Sandwell, took the spotlight over several performances from Wednesday to Friday.

Performed to a vigorous and loud R&B soundtrack, featuring Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and breakbeat remixes from Motown's The Wiz movie, Kate Prince's choreography brilliantly blends old school showbiz hoofing with acrobatic hip-hop style.

The set up is that Dorothy is a classroom dreamer, woken from her reverie by an angry teacher and, after being bullied by classmates, escapes into the fantasy world of Oz. Here her various fellow pupils reappear in the guise of The Scarecrow (dressed in dungarees), Tin Man (boiler suit), etc.

The teenaged dancers, some looked even younger, did not put a foot wrong and were rewarded with loud cheers and a standing ovation from friends and parents in the audience at the Hippodrome's dance studio.

The main five pulled off astonishing flicks and tricks - and showed plenty of comic timing - whilst the well-drilled ensemble provided dependable support.

Mya Wright, from Our Lady and St Chad Catholic Academy in Wolverhampton, had apparently boundless energy as the pig-tailed Dorothy.

Zedan Russel was a cheeky super-strutting Toto. Arnold Tshibangu was mecha-amazing as the robotic Tin Man whilst Traileam Richardson drew gasps of admiration with his tumbling skills and fancy footwork as the Scarecrow. Milan Balaz was loyal to the classic hip-hop moves with his spinning Lion, and showed plenty of acting skills too.

The pupils from St Matthias, Coppice Performing Arts, Our Lady and St Chad's schools in Wolverhampton and the Shirelands Academy in Sandwell were superb. If we could have tapped into the energy, it would surely have been the equivalent of a hydro-electric dam

It was the kind of show that saw people leave the venue with a big smile on their face and a spring in their step... more next year please.

By Leon Burakowski