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ent001637-023
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    University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Libraries

    IT?╟╓S TOP The sheer theatrical genius of American choreographer, Jerry Jackson has created another masterpiece of entertainment in the show room of the Conrad International Hotel. Jackson?╟╓s Galaxies is really a journey of imagination heyong Starz but he has only mixed luck when he takes the 42 strong cast to a grand Australian finale. DRAWER Another masterpiece at Casino Unfortunately, Jack-son spoils an otherwise immaculate performance by portraying Australia?╟╓s outback as just another version of the American wild west. Even a spectacular backdrop that could well have been taken from my grandmother?╟╓s pioneer cottage, fails to give enough Australiana to cover the early American influence. But putting that criticism aside, Jackson has managed something no Australian has done before. He has produced a version of the national anthem, Advance Australia Fair, that stirs the patriotic blood. To do it, he has given the tune a big band By a Staff Reporter sound, in the tradition of America?╟╓s Star Spangled?╟Ñ Banner, and created an emotional closing to the 105-minute show that, like its predecesor, traverses time and space. It would be trite to say Jackson has his trademarks in some of the ideas he uses in production but there are successful conceptions that have been included. Who else but Jackson would have been able to find a way of having three horses gallop at full pace, on stage for two minutes in perfect unison. Only Jackson would scour the world to find three men and a woman who play side drums and spin ropes in such a way that they earned the highest applause of the capacity first night audience. Los Gauchos Latinos is an Argent Ian group with an unusual act that gets the audience involved ?╟÷ through sheer fascination. Then there are the Russian dancers, Alex and Maria Kalinan whose choreographed gymnastics would be a crowd stopper in * Red Square. There are seven segments to the show, each one bom out of Jackson?╟╓s fertile imagination and bourse of dedicated rehearsal. There are some who found it simply an extension of Starz, but as an entertainment force, it is still in world class. The first night audience included many long term local residents who have been subjected to the good, the bad and the ordinary of the Gold Coast entertainment scene for many years. Without exception, they voted it top drawer and well worth the admission price you will pay to see it over the next 18 months or so.