YOU could say it was an unusual step to move away from the traditional variety show usually associated with a long-running summer season in Blackpool.

But whoever made the decision to bring Spirit of the Dance to the Grand Theatre deserves a pat on the back.

Rejigged and revamped from the original version which previously toured the country, the Irish International Dance Company now presents a polished showcase which leans heavily on the Irish dancing catapulted to popularity by Riverdance and Lord of the Dance.

Fast and furious, it leaves more than one member of the audience feeling dizzy, and the routines are well led by principal dancer Patricia Murray who looks perfectly at home on stage.

But that's not where the dancing ends. More traditional haunting Irish music rubs shoulders with jazz, tap and ballet while an international flavour is captured in a flamenco sequence and the appearance of the Russian Cossacks.

Credit for individual performances must go to Claire Morland as the Spirit, whose voice proves she can cope just as well with a microphone as a pair of ballet shoes.

Likewise male dancer Antony Winmill, better known for his work at the Horseshoe Bar and at the Royal Pavilion Theatre, who thankfully was given his own solo spot and not wasted in the chorus.

An interlude of Irish songs by Denise Nolan is a welcome break before the interval but her tribute to Judy Garland later in the second act hardly fits in with the theme of the show.

The Grand is on to a real winner this summer and with the Chuckle Brothers now running in tandem, bosses will be dancing all the way to the bank.

A real family atmosphere is on offer with the arrival of the Chuckle Brothers.

The zany twosome are geared towards children's entertainment but you'll find a surprising amount of adults enjoying their show.

An hilarious acrobatic sketch where brothers Paul and Barry try to imitate the daring feats performed by fellow cast members Duo Denvy earns the most laughs - and there are plenty of those.

The Chuckle Brothers' guest artistes are just as impressive. Show stealers Duo Denvy, from Hungary, perform a variety of balancing acts which make even the most dangerous stunts seem easy.

Billed as the amazing Richard Cadell, the young illusionist certainly lives up to his name, leaving the audience gasping with his art of making women vanish, reappearing from nowhere and even making a motorbike disappear in mid-air.

And for all those Spice Girls fans, the Cover Girls pump out their own medley of songs.

A nice touch was the way in which the brothers invited youngsters to meet them at the stage door afterwards for autographs.

All in all, a good family show.

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