Self-proclaimed as “the Fringe’s must see feel-good journey through dance and music”, Lite Fantastic’s Collision is proving to be popular viewing with dance enthusiasts. The company (of nine student performers) is clearly talented but would do better to stick to the dance styles in which it excels. Dancers sparkle in musical theatre and jazz numbers and had the whole show been based around these routines, it would have been superb. But instead, the company attempts versatility, struggling to perform ballroom, ballet and belly dance where the level of competence falls short of expectation.

Nevertheless, the show does have an upbeat feel and its musical backdrop, ranging from The Beatles to James Brown and Tinie Tempah, gets toes tapping. One of the show’s four choreographers, Liam Francis, states: “Music and dance go hand in hand. I try to make the music visual, but I like to go against the music sometimes too”. Indeed, this is a music and dance extravaganza and there are wonderful moments when the two become a seamless collaboration, but at other times choreography lacks inspiration and clarity.

Some of the dancers are exceptional and I wish I could name them but the performance comes without a programme. Particularly impressive is the young man who locks and pops with meticulous body control and precision. Collision is a fun show with a great soundtrack but a regrettably inconsistent quality of dancing.

*** – 3/5 stars

Collision is playing at C venues as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival until 27th August. For more information and tickets, see the Edinburgh Fringe website.