Photo provided to Shanghai Star

Their stage is designed to look like a worksite, consisting mostly of wood, steel and ropes. They dance on anything - on the tilt board at a 45 degree-angle, on ladders standing vertical to the ground, and even stand on their heads, held by ropes, tapping on the roof.

The dynamics between the dancers is powerful, and is enhanced by the musicians, two female drummers with red lips and long hair who stand on two boxes above the stage area. The music is very percussive, and is a perfect accompaniment to the tap dancing "in a very powerful and dynamic way", says Sheldon Perry.

As the show reaches its climax, the foreman finds himself standing in the cross fire of electro welders.

Sheldon dances with precision as the flying sparks shoot from the welders. The sparks are safe and the audience will not get burned, even if they land on the front row, according to Zhu Yin, general manager of Peony Media and Entertainment, the company bringing Tap Dogs to China.

This is the one and only Tap Dogs show currently touring. Sheldon says most of the performers have been part of the show for years and are like family to one another. This adds to the distinctive Australian feel of the show, with its laid-back charm and unique take on tap dancing. James Bilios of Broadway Entertainment Group, manager of the Tap Dogs, says these features are what make Tap Dogs "a cult show."

The tour in Shanghai marks only the beginning of Tap Dogs in China, but it's not the first import from Newcastle, a center of the steel industry in Australia. China, as it undergoes unprecedented development, has imported steel from Australia. So Tap Dogs is in a way, a wonderful side product from the steel center, which may enrich and enlighten the Chinese theater experience.

If you go

Time: 2 pm, Sept 13-14, 20-21; 8 pm, Sept 10-14, 16-21

Address: Q Hall, 1F, QSW Culture Centre, 179 Yichang Road, Putuo district 普陀區(qū)宜昌路179號

Telephone: 4006-228-228

Ticket: 150-880 yuan