Pamela's dance a Brazilian story
Surrounded by a bevy of chiselled bronze bodies, Pamela Stephenson-Connolly was in her element among the cast of Brazouka yesterday.
The wife of comedian Billy Connolly is in Perth for the Australian premiere of the Brazilian dance show that she created with Arlene Phillips after going to South America.
Brazouka tells the story of Braz Dos Santos, the man who taught Stephenson-Connolly the Brazilian dance style of lambazouk.
"People ask me, 'How long have you been dancing?' I think I started before I was born," Dos Santos said.
His passion for dance transformed his life from that of a poor child fisherman to a performer travelling the world.
"He had a choice, dance or die," Stephenson-Connolly said.
"It was either probably drown at sea or learn to dance and earn his living that way."
With hips swaying and hair flicking, the dancers in Brazouka perform a range of styles, including lambazouk, capoeira and the forbidden dance, lambada.
The clinical psychologist and former comedian and actress also insisted that the men perform part of the show in high heels.
"To dance like a man but in high heels is really difficult," dancer Rodrigo Oliveira said.
"Clap for you, girls, because you are amazing for doing it every day in your life."
Brazouka has a limited season at The Regal Theatre.
