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Beating of the Russian Heart
****
Mairi Anderson 14 August 2007 EdinburghGuide.com.
 Beating of the Russian Heart is a big show from a small cast. It's big on colour, big on emotion, big on variety and big on exuberance. In terms of sheer entertainment value it's as big as it gets.
This is a delightful show for all the family. It is a veritable feast of everything enjoyable in traditional Russian music and dance.
The cast of five girls from St. Petersburg perform traditional songs and dances to reflect every mood and emotion. There is great power and sensitivity in the sad songs, a wonderful joie de vivre in the polkas and a strength and resilience throughout which illustrates the best characteristics of the Russian people.The show is introduced in English by a Russian girl who explains that the aim of the show is to convey the depth of the Russian heart and I think they succeed admirably.
The richness of the vocal ability of the cast is matched by their grace in dance. The pace of the show is fast with very skilful and well-managed changes of mood throughout. The fast moving dance numbers had everyone clapping and tapping their feet. In an interesting blending of cultures they sang the traditional Irish melody "The Butcher's Boy". It was sung half in Russian and half in English and delivered with such feeling that it moved me to tears.
The main accompaniment is from an accordion player and a fiddler. A soundtrack is also used which sometimes overpowers a little. In another innovative move the group use traditional Russian instruments which can be purchased after the show.
Their traditional costumes are colourful and beautifully crafted. Given the small stage space, a lot of ingenuity goes into maximising the space. The cast engage the audience very quickly with their warmth and enthusiasm. Two-thirds of the way through the show the cast come down into the audience and invite people to join them on stage. This is handled so well that all of the audience and not just those on stage become more engaged with the show. When audience participation is handled badly it is thoroughly unpleasant. Too often it is used as a device to make the professionals look good by belittling people. The Koleso Folk-Show Group is entirely different and joining them is an entirely positive experience. >>
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