This show was an energetic, sparkling performance, showcasing dance styles across the eras and from around the globe.

Yes, there is a lot of Irish dancing, stomping of feet and slapping of shoulders – which followers of Michael Flately expect – but there is also a unique element bringing in flamenco, tap, jazz, and even ballet.

Not to mention crossed swords and flying kilts.

First up was traditional Irish dancing to get you in the right mood, followed by a rendition of Danny Boy and others by the special guests the Dublin Irish Tenors.

Scotland was up next with the graceful girls twirling across the stage and the guys enthusiastically doing the Highland fling followed by the sword dance.

"The passion of Latino dances such as the flamenco, salsa and tango gave a vibrant intensity to the dancing."

One of my favourites, Spain, was performed against a backdrop of red flames.

The passion of Latino dances such as the flamenco, salsa and tango gave a vibrant intensity to the dancing.

Then on come the guys and girls in army fatigues to bring the African continent to life.

It started with a burst of stick dancing then using buckets – although this bit did lose me.

A taste of the sandy expanses came with belly and fan dancing.

Of course, we can’t forget love and competition. So next up was the girls v boys in a dance competition with the leaders one moment in a passionate embrace and the next spurning each other.

America provided a wide expanse of dance and song opportunities. Barn dancing with an Irish twist.

I would like to see people try do these moves at their local line dance classes!

Then a re-creation of Fred Astaire’s drum and tap dance routine which was hugely popular with the audience.

Some light entertainment was provided by five of the team dancing on top of large round dais and singing something with a lot of woohoo in. A bit of pushing and shoving and five encores later they rolled off the stage.

The Tenors then stopped the clock at the 1960s with renditions of Bye, Bye, Baby; Frankie Valli’s Can’t Take My Eyes Off You and I love You Baby.

We then travelled to France and the heyday of the Moulin Rouge. Lots of high kicking, screaming girls performing the cancan finishing with each doing eyewatering splits – as you would expect!

It was very much an electric performance.

"If you are expecting a Michael Flatley show then you may be a little disappointed but if you go in with fresh eyes and see the show in its own right, you will love it."

Fosse Folies provided the punultimate routine. Garbed in black and white gloves, I was expecting a bit of mime but instead there was a lot of rolled shoulders and jazz hands, turned-in knees, finger clicking and the famous bowler hats.

This section finished with the whole cast sitting on the front of the stage doing a very fast hand and arm routine, which if I am honest, left me a bit flat.

Yes it was fast paced but I couldn’t fathom what it had to do with dancing.

The show finished with the traditional line up, precision Irish dancing and encores – of course.

All the way through the show, the Irish Tenors provided an excellent range of songs while we could imagine the cast frantically changing costumes. The Tenors could turn their hand to any style of music – pop, opera, swing or musicals.

Their rendition of Bye Bye Baby reached high notes well beyond the capability of the audience. An excellent choice to accompany in the main a brilliant show.

"I loved it and thought was well choreographed," said Charlotte Raymond, from Edenbridge, who was in the audience.

"My favourites were the flamenco, the Moulin Rouge and the funny bit where the girl is rolled out in the drum.

"I'd have liked to have seen a few moves to accompany the tenors' singing but the way they got the audience to join in was really good."

It is definitely worth going to see but I felt the guys need to be more crisp with their arm movements.

There were a few mistakes, bumps and trips but for a first night on a new stage this is to be expected.

If you are expecting a Michael Flatley show then you may be a little disappointed but if you go in with fresh eyes and see the show in its own right, you will love it.

Spirit of the Dance is at the Orchard theatre until Saturday, August 22. Shows Monday to Friday at 7.30pm, Saturday 5pm and 8pm. Tickets from £18. Visit orchardtheatre.co.uk or call 01322 220000.