intrigued by a promise of genre fusion, I went to see Raise the Barre, a show that bravely attempts to meld the elegance of ballet with the raw energy of rock and pop music. On the surface, this blend is a daring, creative choice, and the show’s physical prowess is undeniable. However, while the performance is impressive in its ambition and energy, it doesn’t quite stick the landing, leaving you with a feeling of “what could have been.”
The Vibe
Raise the Barre is a feast for the eyes and ears, delivered with a palpable enthusiasm by a dedicated cast. The dancers – a troop of six (thereabouts) flexible, talented female performers and four lean, muscular male dancers – are a joy to watch. From the moment they take to the stage to a hard-rock soundtrack, their physical talent is on full display. The show’s core concept is a rough narrative about dance students being put through their paces by a demanding teacher, culminating in a graduation. This framing provides a loose structure for a series of high-energy routines.
While the dancing is consistently strong, the show’s narrative thread feels underdeveloped. A group of three “cheeky boys” in shiny metal dresses and black tops appear as a sort of chaotic clique, threatening to perform something truly interesting before their moments are cut short. Their presence is more of a distraction than a compelling subplot, and their characters don’t quite land. The audience’s standing ovation at the end suggests I might have been a bit grumpy, but the feeling of untapped potential lingered.
The Music
The choice of music is both the show’s greatest strength and its most frustrating weakness. It’s an absolute banger of a playlist, featuring classic rock and pop hits that get the audience nodding along. It feels as if a very well-supplied jukebox has had the handle ripped off by a drunk person – there are great songs everywhere, but they don’t last long. We get tantalising 80-second to three-minute snippets of fantastic tracks before being whisked away to the next one.
The sheer variety of music and dance styles is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, if a particular combination doesn’t click with you, you don’t have to wait long for the next one. On the other hand, the constant switching prevents any single piece from fully developing. I was left wishing for a more cohesive, rock-opera-style narrative that would allow the music and choreography to build on each other. The choreography itself is a diverse mix, ranging from what I assume is classical ballet to breakdancing, with one performer in particular pulling out some truly impressive moves just when you think he’s run out of them.
Overall
Raise the Barre is a show that promises a lot and delivers a lot… of energy and talent – even if it doesn’t quite live up to its full potential. The dancers are outstanding, performing rapid costume changes and a broad variety of styles with impressive skill. It’s a show that will be particularly rewarding for young audiences, and the male dancers high-fiving kids in the front row was a heartwarming moment. The topless male dancers are a definite perk for physique fans in the audience, too. If you’re a fan of dance or are looking for an hour of high-energy, feel-good entertainment for the family, Raise the Barre is a solid choice. While I won’t be rushing back to see it again, it’s a perfectly enjoyable hour that leaves you smiling.
Review: Raise the Barre, Fringe 2025
Summary
Raise the Barre is a high-energy fusion of ballet, rock, and breakdancing. While the show is physically impressive and features a banger soundtrack, its fragmented narrative leaves you wanting more. A fun, family-friendly show with great dancing.
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Just read your review of Raise the Barre. I was at the same performance.
Not sure what you were watching but you are way off the mark. And to give the show such a low star rating because ‘you didn’t get it’ is not the unbiased mark left by someone that considers themselves a professional reviewer. If it was that bad, there would not have been a standing ovation. You have unfortunately put yourself in the same bucket as reviewers that feel that they have to say something negative under the disguise of being ‘critical’ in order to make themselves seem knowledgeable, when in reality they are too scared to just say, Hey, i didn’t get it, it wasn’t for me but the audience that did understand the show loved it. Poor effort Andrew.
Hi Melissa, I hope I’ve not upset you. I certainly don’t go out of my way to be critical and I’m disappointed I didn’t enjoy the show more – but I didn’t.
I’ve had a quick rummage around the web for other reviews (there’s plenty on Edfringe) and it looks like this is a show that’s really dividing audiences! Some terible reviews (which is not) and loads of praise.