Stories – The Tap Dance Sensation at Sadler’s Wells

French dance troupe RB return to the stage with their showstopper, Stories. Founded in 2018 by writer, composer, director, choreographer and producer Romain Rachline Borgeaud, the ensemble blends contemporary tap dance and urban jazz to create a frenetic piece.

The stage comes alive with hit tune, Get the Job Done, as the group manoeuvres its way around a newspaper office, billowing smoke trailing from their electric cigarettes, the acoustics of typewriters and slamming doors accentuating the rush of a news agency.

Alan Homo stars as Icarus, a young actor who has already made a name for himself on the big screen. Yet, behind the bright lights of showbusiness, he is under the oppression of the director (played to threatening effect by Geoffrey Goutorbe).

The story is told predominantly through music and dance, with no dialogue, which in this case makes the show lack a coherent narrative and come across quite jumbled.

On a more positive note, the score is particularly good at capturing the troubles that Icarus faces, and more often than not, has a very sure likeness to Faithless’s vocalist Maxi Jazz, filled with a deep calm and resonance, while the musical arrangement also mirrors Run Boy Run by Woodkid. Set design is fairly modest, with large adaptable staircases transforming in one scene from a newspaper office to a bar, and in other moments into hotel signs lit up in neon. The dancers are incredibly agile on their feet and are the key to this high-octane, sequence-filled performance.

Lighting by Alex Hardelett is constructed very well and adds a much-needed dimension that is otherwise missing regarding tension and atmosphere in the story element.

Despite this lacking, the dance is commendable, so for anyone who fancies seeing the art form in many different genres that includes tap, this might just be the ticket.

Selina Begum
Photos: Aline Gerard

Stories – The Tap Dance Sensation is at Sadler’s Wells from 14^th until 31^st October 2026. For further information or to book, visit the theatre’s website here.