Emerald Theatre, London – until 7 September 2025
Reviewed by Janny Addley
5*****
When first entering the Theatre, it was just like walking into a 1920’s/30’s Art Deco time, seeing the hat check girls waiting for the customers to place their coats and belongings over their counter before entering the seating areas. Once in there, the place was SO where the High Society would go to see a Cabaret Show. The seating of table and chairs around the stage, and also sofas with tables which also captures an essence of its era.
To say, if Riverdance and Tap Dogs had a baby, and then Stomp and Coyote Ugly had a baby, and their kids had a baby then that’s Emerald Storm!
It is an electrifying world of music, dance and untamed spirit. From the moment you enter, you are not just watching the story unfold, you are living it. The air hums with the scent of Whiskey and the thrum of anticipation, drawing you deep into a realm where anything can happen. Suddenly before the storm begins you are in the spirit of Ireland with the uplifting sounds of a Celtic Band ‘Fiddlin’ About’ playing well know Irish music and songs with toe-tapping Jigs, Reels and Soulful melodies, who have Jay Bishop a Cajonist joining them. This gets the audience clapping and singing to their music.
Suddenly, The Boss (Tom Ball) comes on and welcomes you to a wonderful evening of singing some of the lovely Irish songs with his wonderful voice, one song being Fields of Athnery. Suddenly out comes (Olivia Graydon (lead dancer)), what a brilliant dancer she is, her footwork and high kicking was superb, just hypnotic! She is then joined by the other dancers (James Wakeling, James Worthington, Lizzie Pitt and Olivia Leanne Grainge) setting off the wonderful Irish Dancing at the heart of the experience is a spellbinding fusion of tradition and rebellion.
These Dancers surround you on stage, beside the bar, even weaving through the crowd as traditional Irish Dance is reborn through fierce modern beats and raw, pulsing energy. You don’t just witness the performance, you can feel it beneath your feet. Whilst the dancing is going on, there are also the lovely singers (Anja Wyatt, Alannah McCarthy Mahaer, Caitlin O’Donnell, Charlie Archer, Emily Celine, Erkika Van Halm, Poppy Parker and Sophie Bushell) going around singing the songs.
When the dancing finishes and they go off, on comes the Mop Boy (Adam Brant) who starts cleaning the floor, listening to music with his headphones on. This being a bit loud then brings on the Assistant Weekend Manager (Robbie Browning), who tells him to get on with his work, so the Mop Boy carries on cleaning the floor listening to his music, just wishing that he could be part of the dancing and dancers.
Suddenly, the doors burst open. A crew of Urban Tap Dancers storm the scene with a cool look and move about them! Their presence is undeniable, their rhythm infectious. A friendly rivalry ignites around you. The performers draw you in with each stomp, clap and slide. Blurring the boundaries between audience and artist. The dancing is SO intense between them. The modern tap dancing is absolutely energising and uplifting. Dancing to the music, of which also, had a hip-hop vibe to it. Out comes the Tap Dancers (Brooklyn Barber, Florence Georgia and Sophie Parris) tapping and pounding to the beat with all the moves. Then comes the Leader of the Pack (Bayley Graham). Wow, what a tap dancer, absolutely phenomenal! His footwork is out of this world, quick and crisp on a par to a young Ann Miller.
As the night crescendos, a transformation takes hold. The duelling styles begin to intertwine, creating a powerful new rhythm – part Irish and part Urban, which also brings in the Swing Dancers (Catherine Jeffrey, Gracie Adams and Lexie Finch) bringing in the Latin feel of an Argentine Tango. As the time draws on the dancers go their different ways. The Mop Boy comes on with his Mop and starts to do some dance moves, wishing he could dance like the others. On comes the Leader of the Urban Crew and joins him, showing what he could achieve with time and patience, ending up with him joining the other dancers closing the evening of a wonderful show, which felt you were all a part of it!