purpose of reviewing it, she replied: "But you're not a dancer, how can you review this show?'' to which I responded: "I'm a critic, that's what I do.'' But the real answer is that when something is as obviously good as Suzy's portfolio already is, one need not be an expert to know that it's good ...

full stop.

Hence I am here to confirm that the latest United Dance Productions show -- charmingly entitled `Dancin' -- was not a show that needed to be seen by experts to be appreciated and adored.

The show was a collaboration with the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, which Suzy is an esteemed alumnus of, and the level of artistic expression was as high as I've seen on any local stage in recent years.

High energy, drama, style and heaps and heaps of flair streaked through this show like fat through red meat, and the audience had their breath taken away more than a few times ... here's the down low.

The auditorium doors closed at 8 p.m. and the show started right on time! A lone figure graced the stage in darkness for quite a while before the lights came on and revealed the stunning Amne Foggo, who will be heard of for many years to come I promise you that.

Amne opened the dance extravaganza with a short solo piece that soon became a group piece when six of UDP's more senior dancers joined her on stage to complete Nathan Trice's marvellous `Arena'.

This was a piece that borrowed from many different forms and neatly fused them into a post-modern statement in movement, and it made for an utterly beautiful opening to an utterly entertaining show.

The second piece was a solo dance by Rhea Patterson called `Parson's Etude' and commissioned by the American Dance Legacy Institute. This was another fusion piece that allowed Ms Patterson to exude passion with every movement, and leave the audience breathless.

`Zoot Swing' was a delightful group piece choreographed by UDP's own Natasha Outerbridge and featuring a bunch of little swing-tappers decked out in zoot suits and Southern belle dresses.

This piece was over-loaded with energy and featured one Rikkai Scott, who absolutely stole the spotlight from everyone else on stage with him throughout the show. The kid was as stylish as any dancer I've ever seen, his energy was through the roof and he had more confidence than a Bush in a Florida courthouse. The rest of the kids were excellent, but Rikkai definitely stood out.

`Reach' was a solo piece choreographed by Wayne St. David and smoothly performed by Marc Spaulding. This was a sort of modern-ballet piece that drew gasps from the audience on more than one occasion. Beautiful.

`Here We Go' was choreographed by UDP's Shanyea Trott, and featured a team-up of the more senior dancers and the kids for a scorching Latin set.

By now we had gotten the hint that the U of A dancers and UDP would be alternating performances, and we had not been disappointed yet.

`The Girl From Ipanema' was not going to be our first let down either. This was another delightful modern ballet piece that featured Jennifer Hold and Gary Jeter.

`No More' was the requisite Hip-Hop piece that featured the senior dancers, an outstanding performance by Patrina Swan and choreography by Kimberly Gibson.

`In the Mix' was the Jazz piece that really didn't impress me too much at all, but the audience seemed to like it, so what do I know -- we've already established that I'm not an expert.

`Tabla Matrix' followed the intermission to good effect. This was a nice piece, which featured the neat movements of Amne, Latoya Outerbridge and Monnisha Bean, and choreography by Kimberly Gibson.

`Dark' was outstanding! It was a solo tap piece that was choreographed and performed by Dougie Sanders with the kind of style and drama that legends are made of. Dougie appeared on stage blind-folded and proceeded to perform a passionate study in frustration and deprivation that made us feel his pain, and admire his art all at the same time.

The next piece was another excellent Nathan Trice creation entitled `Rhythme Vibe,' which featured another show stealing performance by young Mr. Scott.

This kid has talent by the truckload people -- I kid you not. `Rainbow Etude' was a stunning piece that featured Rashon Jackson performing the choreography of Donald McKayle to the sounds of Traditional Chain Gang Songs sung by the Spirit Chorale of Los Angeles. This piece was commissioned by the American Dance Legacy Institute, and Mr. Jackson presented it beautifully.

UDP's last statement was the `Guinea Dances,' a collection of African dances that were ably performed by the younger members of the cast.

`Doundounba' was presented by the boys (Eric Bean Jr. in an outstanding performance, Jelani Douglas, Rikkai Scott, Nhoj-trebor Steede and Takai Tota) and `Soli/Mandianie' was presented by the girls (Tyka Edness, Cetera Desilva, Chekea Furbert, Jayne Dill, Shannell Woodley, Tyasha Smith and Tiara Ming).

This beautiful piece was backed up by the excellent drumming of Hapte Selassie, Kinfe Thompson, Michael Simmons and Keith Caisey.ip-Hikkkkk An amazing performance by all involved.

`Airs' was the closing piece. This piece was choreographed by Paul Taylor, and seemed a bit too long really. I recall quite a few times when we thought it was over and started to applaud, just to be greeted by another dancer emerging from stage right and gliding across the floor to continue the ongoing saga.

This was an overwhelmingly slow, long and at times unbearably overdrawn ending to an otherwise splendid exhibition of dance, passion and modern art. I mean, the piece was technically beautiful, but to end a show with a mini-ballet is not a really good idea in Bermuda is it? Four concertos, three overtures and two other bits is a bit much when you think the show is about to come to an end and you might be able to get home to catch the Chris Rock Show (does that still come on?).

But you know what, we got through it, and not too many people complained, so why should I? Maybe because that's what I do.

Before we left the Ruth Seaton James Auditorium that night we were treated to one more surprise. Suzette Harvey was presented an Award for Excellence in Dance by the University of the Arts and cited as an outstanding alumnus and ambassador of dance. Well, to tell the truth, I wasn't surprised, see I've always known the girl was all that and a big bag of tap shoes -- haven't we all? VEJAY STEEDE REVIEW REV