Spirit of the Dance, the foot stomping close cousin to River Dance, will be back Beijing with four shows at the Poly Theatre from May 1 to 4.

After River Dance thrilled local audiences last October, Spirit of the Dance further heightened the taste for Irish tap with their China debut in January 2004.

During the tour, it became the first foreign show to be invited to perform as part of China's most widely watched gala, the Variety Gala Show on traditional Chinese New Year's Eve, which was broadcast live on Channel One of China Central Television.

Performed by the Irish International Dance Company, "Spirit of the Dance" was created after "River Dance" had become a worldwide phenomenon. The "River Dance" sensation introduced Irish dance to audiences around the world. Spirit of the Dance was created in England in 1996 to satisfy massive public demand.

And now Spirit of the Dance has up to 10 separate dance troupes touring the world.

Precision, accuracy, timing, power, beauty and emotion are all necessary words in describing the breathtaking Spirit of the Dance.

Irish in origin and bursting with raw energy, this explosive and powerful show combines heart-pounding Irish dance with the sensual Latino rhythms of Flamenco and Red Hot Salsa in a thrilling production of strength and passion.

The entire company is amazing in its synchronicity, with frenetic feet, dazzling smiles and playful whoops punctuating the kicky jigs. They slide easily through the air in balletic passages of flowing fabric, slither through jazzy seductions in saucy sequins, writhing like acrobats to a techno beat in spandex, fuelled by the drama of the Celtic saga.

"Powerful lighting, striking costumes and stunning choreography combine to make the strength and passion of Spirit of the Dance performances virtually unbeatable and well worth the ticket price," commented Beijing-based dance critic Ou Jianping.

(China Daily April 22, 2004)