REVIEWS

TAKE THE FLOOR

Traverse (venue 15), Cambridge Street (0131- 228 1404), times vary; to 2 Sept (not 28 Aug)

The foxtrot, the rhumba and the tango provide the backdrop for Sue Pam- Grant and DJ Grant's dancing comedy (right), a positive sign that South African theatre is responding to a happier political climate. Compered by their sprite-like dancing-master (a dazzling Mark Hoeben), the class bring their small failures, hopes and disappointments crowding on to the floor, stumbling and hesitating but always dreaming of flying. Lara Foot Newton's fine production elicits impressive performances from the dancer/ actors Molly Seftel, Basil Appollis, Gilda Blacher and Joss Levine. Tear-jerking stuff for the shamelessly schmaltzy.