Dein Perry's TAP DOGS Kicks Off Australian Tour Today, July 3, in Canberra

Australia's very own TAP DOGS first appeared at the Sydney Festival in 1995. The tapping feet of this internationally acclaimed dance sensation has now reverberated around the world in 330 cities; 37 countries, and been seen by more than 11 million people. Now they are coming home – stronger, faster, louder and more outrageous than ever to tour Australia from July to August 2012. The 2012 winter tour commences in Canberra today, 3 July to 8 July; then Newcastle 10 to 15 July; followed by Adelaide 17 to 22 July, Hobart 16 to 18 August, Albury 21 to 23 August and finally Wollongong 24 & 25 August.

Created by Olivier Award winning choreographer Dein Perry, this global dance phenomenon combines the strength and power of workmen with the precision and talent of tap dancing and is pArt Theatre, part dance, part rock concert and positively electrifying.

The adrenalin pumped touring cast includes the best tap dancers from around the world. Leading the pack is Sheldon Perry (brother of Dein) along with fellow Aussies Matthew Papa, Nathaniel Hancock, Jesse Rasmussen and from the US Anthony Russo and Richard Miller. In addition to the macho line-up, TAP DOGS now has two beautiful female percussionists, Cat Hunter and Lyndsay Evans joining the testosterone fuelled action on stage.

TAP DOGS is directed and designed by Nigel Triffitt, and has won 11 major international awards, including an Olivier for Best Choreography.

TAP DOGS has performed in 37 countries and over 330 cities on six continents with up to four companies touring at any one time.

But the show's origins can be traced back to the NSW steel city of Newcastle in the early 90's, where Dein Perry was working as an industrial machinist by day and continuing to tap dance with his mates in the evening.

A dream of a career in show business was at the forefront of a young Dein Perry's mind and he took his chance in the Australian production of 42nd Street. This was followed up with a an Olivier Award winning stint as Best Choreographer for West End Musical Hot Shoe Shuffle in 1995.

An offer from the Sydney Theatre Company led to the collaboration with designer and director Nigel Triffitt and composer Andrew Wilkie - the result was the creation of TAP DOGS – which premiered to critical acclaim at the Sydney Theatre Festival in January 1995.

A young Australian theatrical producer – Liz Koops, of Back Row Productions saw the potential of the show and began what would become one of the most successful producing partnerships in Australian musical theatre history.

TAP DOGS was catapulted to international acclaim at the 1995 Edinburgh Festival and a subsequent sell out season at London's Sadler's Wells.

Perry won his second Olivier Award in 1996 for Best Choreography for TAP DOGS, something he would replicate a year later when the show moved to New York for an off-Broadway season, earning him the prestigious Obie Award.

Back Row Productions produced the global phenomenon of TAP DOGS right around the world with critical and commercial success from Australia to America and Asia to Europe.

TAP DOGS has earned a total of 11 top international performance awards, made a sensational return home in 2000 for the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Game – a performance seen by 3.4 billion TV viewers world wide – and continues to sell out tours around the world.

The TAP DOGS story was also immortalised in the AFI-winning movie Bootmen, directed by Perry and inspired by his early experiences in creating TAP DOGS.

TAP DOGS remains one of the most successful Australian productions of all time, and has been universally acclaimed for taking dance in an entirely new direction.

TAP DOGS is an 80-minute show performed without an intermission.

Since 1995, Back Row Productions (BRP) Managing Director, Liz Koops, has been creating international touring circuits for non-language productions.

One of her first productions was TAP DOGS - which has performed in over 37 countries, in over 330 cities, on six continents, with up to four companies touring at any one time. Other shows produced included Gumboots, Slava's Snow Show, Circus Oz & Mum's The Word.

From 2000-2005 BRP was acquired by the US based Clear Channel Entertainment (CCE) – the largest live entertainment company in the world.

Liz consolidated the European and Asian touring circuits for first class musicals, as well as opening up new markets including Portugal (Miss Saigon, Cats), Greece (Chicago), Monte Carlo (Grease). Scandinavia (Starlight Express), Dubai (Beauty & The Beast) and (Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake).

After re-acquiring BRP from CCE in 2005, Liz went on to consult on international tour booking and from 2006-2011 produced with her partners the box office hit stage musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert to sell out seasons in Sydney, London's West End, New York's Broadway, Milan & Sao Paulo.

Photo credit: James Morgan

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

CANBERRA
VENUE CANBERRA THEATRE CENTRE
SEASON Tuesday 3 July to Sunday 8 July
TICKETS from $49 to $99
BOOKINGS www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 02 6275 2700
Groups 10+ Call Group Bookings on 02 6275 2700

NEWCASTLE
VENUE CIVIC THEATRE
SEASON Tuesday 10 July to Sunday 15 July
TICKETS from $49 to $99
BOOKINGS www.ticketek.com.au or 132 849

ADELAIDE
VENUE HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE
SEASON Tuesday 17 July to Sunday 22 July
TICKETS from $49 to $99
BOOKINGS www.bass.net.au or 131 246

HOBART
VENUE DERWENT ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
SEASON Thursday 16 August to Saturday 18 August
TICKETS from $59 to $99
BOOKINGS www.ticketmaster.com.au or 136 100

TICKETS ON SALE MONDAY 21 MAY

ALBURY
VENUE ALBURY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
SEASON Tuesday 21 August to Thursday 23 August
TICKETS from $49 to $99
BOOKINGS www.alburycity.nsw.gov.au/entertainment or 02 6043 5610

WOLLONGONG
VENUE WIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
SEASON Friday 24 August to Saturday 25 August
TICKETS from $59 to $99
BOOKINGS www.ticketek.com.au or 132 849

www.tapdogsontour.com.au

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