GymFusion at The Lowry Manchester Review
GymFusion
The Lowry, Manchester
22 February 2015
Reviewed by Katy Nettleton
Where do I start – first of all if you have any little people in your family who likes gymnastics and dancing than this is a must see!
GymFusion is an annual event which showcases gymnastic talent in a non-competitive environment, allowing teams of gymnasts to work together and share a passion to perform; and that was clear with each act, all gymnasts were smiling and those not competing were cheering on their fellow teams and the whole environment was joyous without being too slushy!
About The show – it was spread over 4 hours, with 2 intervals (allowing for those never ending toilet stops with little ones in tow!) and had 24 different acts both in style, content and age of gymnasts performing to the theme of Legends. The announcer managed to get a wide demographic of audience engaged and supporting with the acts through cheering and clapping along; with each individual enjoying it as much as the acts themselves.
My girls were engrossed in each and every act, especially the ones who wore costumes: One of my girls particularly liked the Mermaid production as the costumes were “so pretty” in my daughters words! With my other girl preferring the Kingston Vale act as it fused dance and gymnastics together and was inspiring to the younger generation! As we didn’t have any relatives/friends/family in the acts towards the end my 4 year old girls were starting to get distracted, however with the music, choreography and lighting brought each act to come alight!
On a mum’s perspective – I wish I could do those things with my body that all those girls and boys were doing! Tumbles followed by more tumbles or “rolly polly’s in the air!” it was truly inspiring watching all these young people coming together, sharing an interest and putting on a production of such high quality. The choreography of each act, along with the music and lighting just brought the acts alive: making you understand what they are portraying about within their routines. I loved watching the “established gymnasts” as much as the “younger ones”, who were so confident to perform on stage in front of hundreds of strangers and yet they looked unfazed by this.
When you see gymnasts practicing you can’t always relate to how this can become a show: maybe this is just due to my limited knowledge of watching gymnastics on TV but with the lighting and music it genuinely felt like a full production: and not a school show that I would have thought with the age of the gymnasts.
My girls loved the show, and currently go to gymnastics (very basic beginners) but this show has inspired them and they both said when we got back home that they want to do be on the stage next year! If you knew how shy and quiet my twin girls are you, you would understand that for them to want to perform in itself is amazing and I will be promoting the show to their gymnastics club and hoping to get a few of the younger ones to go next year, or even to see if they can put a team in!
In summary, definitely worth a visit and a show that I will attend again next year! As usual The Lowry is accessible, queuing for tickets was minimal and efficient, parking was easy and there is plenty of eating establishments nearby to replenish after all the afternoons exercise! The programmes were only 50p, and the show shop was the usual price for merchandise as well as selling leotards and gymnastic equipment for those who are keen gymnasts (from my limited knowledge these seemed the normal high street price) and my girls loved seeing all the different leotard designs and have already requested which one they want if they get to perform at one of the events!!
I would rate it 4½ out of 5 as it is a lengthy show and wouldn’t suit all the audience.
Rating: 4.5/5
The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, Manchester, M50 3AZ | 0843 208 6000
