Fridae

Created for Her Majesty Elton John's 50th birthday bash and later performed to awestruck audiences worldwide, Burn the Floor is now on its Asian tour and is set to crashland in Singapore later this month before moving on to Seoul, Osaka and Tokyo.

Choreographed by star choreographers Anthony Van Laast and Jason Gilkison, Burn the Floor a hyper-energetic ballroom dance extravaganza described as "so blockbusting that Michael Flatley will retire in a fit of pique" (The Independent). The 2-hour showcase features 34 prizewinning dancers from 15 countries, the divine Broadway vocalist Angela Teek and dazzling visual effects.

In case you're not excited yet, the dancers are clothed by the cream of the fashion universe - Gucci, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, DKNY, Issey Miyake and Moschino all lend an impeccable flair and high street glamour to the already impressive visual feast. And if you care less about clothes than what's underneath them, then consider that one of criteria for the dancers is raw physical beauty - as Queen Elton John says, "Burn The Floor must have the best looking dudes in order to have my association".

I managed to get artistic director and in-house choreographer Jason Gilkison to spare a moment before zipping off to another of the dance floors of Asia's capital cities. He's been dancing competitively since he was five, choreographing since he was 12, and with his partner was the first Australian to win the British, World and International Championships.

No stranger to the region, Jason has performed at the 1997 Hongkong Handover Ceremony and the 1999 World Dance Gala for the Japanese Royal Family. Now in Taipei, he tells me, "I love the people [of Asia], but I cannot get used to the food!"

Jason explains to me the four different shows that we'll be treated to. "Singapore will experience of course the "Gala night" on opening night. Matinee Saturday will be targeted towards a younger, school aged audience. Saturday evening will be the glamorous... event that BTF has grown to present. Sunday afternoon will combine our BTF show with a little audience participation!"

There's also no mistaking that Jason loves the people that he's working with. He tells me of his dance partner, "I do feel very proud of my partnership with Peta Roby. To date, we have danced together 32 years, and it is so special to have someone to share the same passion, determination and vision in life."

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I venture a guess that some diva drama must have occurred among the international cast, holding more than 410 championship titles between them, and he scoffs. "I tell you we have so much harmony on tour, if the World could live together as we do, we would have world peace! On tour we have a one married couple, and about half who are girlfriend-boyfriend. When you watch this show see if you can pick them out! Last year one we had our first BTF marriage."

Awww. But we're a gay Asian portal, so I popped the question: is he or isn't he? Yup, Jason's gay, and he's taken. "I have a partner, but it is very separate from my career," he says. "I lead a very public life, and it is nice to keep my private life, private!" He also calls himself a very patriotic Aussie, even though he travels a lot with his work and feels he doesn't spend enough time at home.

Though he's had multiple honours, like performing for the late Princess Diana and on the set of Evita with Madonna, Jason still admits that a few crazy slip-ups have happened in performance. "Running on stage in Europe a few years ago for the Industrial Latin number wearing top hat and tails is one moment that I would like to forget," he says. "I hope none of the cast read this."

But all in all, he's more than satisfied with the fruits of his work, which has worked as part of his personal project to meld ballroom and Latin dance with theatre. He presses us to carefully observe the relationships between each man and each woman in an individual dance couple. The emotional dynamics between the sexes have been captured in a uniquely different way in every dance number.

"Watching this show is a very unique and addictive experience, as you feel you have never quite seen everything," Jason promises. "We may find you back in the audience for the following performance, just to make sure you haven't missed something. Whatever show you see it will be an amazing experience, the cast are fantastic and will have you dancing down the aisles."

Fridae.com is an official sponsor of Burn the Floor. Quote Fridae.com and get a 15% discount (Singapore performances only) by calling the BTF hotline: +65 6663 0543.

For a list of performance dates in Singapore, Seoul, Osaka and Tokyo; click on the link below.