Emerald Theatre, London
November 27, 2025
Emerald Storm lives up to its name, bursting onto the stage at the Emerald Theatre with a storm of energy, enthusiasm and sheer enjoyment. That the dancers are living, loving every moment is plain to see. The feeling floods across the footlights and is infectious.
The show is brash, edgy with a bit of an urban feel. It engages throughout, although it does lack some of the slickness and polish of its bigger cousins. That’s not helped by the small stage. With fourteen dancers and singer Tom Ball, it does get a bit overcrowded at times.
The standard of the tap dancing is incredible though, especially from lead Irish tapper Olivia Graydon (whose credits include Lord of the Dance), and guest artist speed-demon tapper, Bayley Graham. Both come with many years of experience. Graham’s outstanding taping skills, together with his laidback, cheeky chappy personality, which also comes through in the show, have earned him a social media following of over 300,000.
Photo Nick Brooker
The other twelve hugely talented dancers all deserve a shout-out, with a special plaudit to Matt Walker, who takes the ‘comic stooge’ role, which he delivers with confidence.
Unfortunately, the music for the show itself is sadly recorded rather than being played live by the excellent house band, Fiddlin’ About, who do play live as the audience walk in. That recording is also over-amplified to the point of distortion. At times, one wondered if it was the tapping or the drumming that you were hearing. Ball, runner-up in Britian’s Got Talent 2022, was also affected by the over-amping, seeming at times to be trying to ‘top-out’ the music. This was a great shame, as he’s hugely talented, and with his powerhouse of a voice, and gentle, enveloping personality, he would have captured the hearts of the audience even singing a cappella.
The eight additional singers, whose only purpose seems to be to sing a well-known sea shanty, resembled the Wraiths from Lord of the Rings, felt truly out of place.
Photo Nick Brooker
Set on London’s Victoria Embankment, the Emerald Theatre is a former music hall/cabaret venue that dates back to 1898 and that was restored 2017. The sofa seating in the front of the auditorium is not the best. It’s a little uncomfortable, and low. One is constantly looking up at a view of legs from calves up, not ideal for appreciating tap. But wherever you sit, you are not going to be far from the action; a definite plus.
And Emerald Storm is a show of positive vibes. It’s a very enjoyable evening’s entertainment; a good night out. Compared to the likes of Riverdance and Tap Dogs it’s a little rough around the edges maybe, but then the urban feel is part of the fun.
Emerald Storm is at the Emerald Theatre, London to December 14, 2025.
The show then returns in autumn 2026, touring widely from September to November. For dates and venues, click here.