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Dein Perry, creator of TAP DOGS, has come a long way from the garage behind his dance teacher’s house in Newcastle, where as a young boy he learned to tap. Dein moved to Sydney where he tried to break into show business. For ten years he worked in musical theatre that eventually led to Dein’s big break where he was cast in a principal role in 42nd Street. When it closed, Dein decided to create a contemporary show around the themes of his industrial experience in Newcastle.
In 1991 Dein was awarded an Australia Council Development Grant and formed the Tap Brothers, a very early incarnation of TAP DOGS. From this Dein was offered the chance to co-choreograph and star in the West End musical, HOT SHOE SHUFFLE. The Tap Brothers became the stars of HOT SHOE SHUFFLE. This production earned Dein his first Olivier Award in 1995. During this time Dein was invited to produce a dynamic film clip for the ABC arts programme PERFORMANCE SPACE, the clip is known as TAP DOGS.
In 1994 Dein conceived and choreographed the full stage show TAP DOGS, which was the hit of the 1995 Sydney Festival and caused an equal sensation at the Edinburgh Festival later that year, winning the Glasgow Herald Angel Award. Dein Perry’s TAP DOGS has since toured five continents and 300 cities world wide, including ten years of uninterrupted touring in the US. In 1996 Dein Perry was awarded his second Olivier Award back to back – the youngest person ever to do so.
TAP DOGS has received over 11 international awards, including a 1997 NY Obie Award, the Pegasus Award from the Spoleto festival, the Australian Variety Award for Entertainer of the Year, and the Mo Award for Showbusiness Ambassador of 1998.
Dein’s awards include the 1996, 1997 and 1998 Mo Award for Dance Performer of the Year and the Australian Green Room nomination for Best Supporting Role in HOT SHOE SHUFFLE. Dein received two Australian Green Room Awards for Best Original Choreography, for HOT SHOE SHUFFLE (1995) and TAP DOGS (1996). He was also nominated for a NY Drama Desk Award for Best Choreography for TAP DOGS (1997). In 1998 Dein received an Australian Dance Award for best Choreography and in 2005 was awarded Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer.
January 1998 saw the world premiere of DEIN PERRY’S STEEL CITY, at Star City, Sydney Casino. STEEL CITY was directed, choreographed and performed by Dein, with music by Tim Finn, a cast of thirteen and four musicians. The show toured Australia during 1998 before playing a special season at Radio City Music Hall in New York.
Dein directed and choreographed his first feature film, BOOTMEN, financed by the Australian Film Finance Corporation and Fox Searchlight and distributed by Twentieth Century Fox. BOOTMEN had its worldwide release in October 2000 and received 5 AFI awards.
Dein choreographed the huge tap sequence ETERNITY, consisting of 1300 dancers at the celebrated SYDNEY 2000 OLYMPICS OPENING CEREMONY, which was screened worldwide.
In August 2003 Dein reworked the TAP DOGS concept adding 2 female dancers opening TAP DOGS RE-BOOTED at Sadler’s Wells in London followed by a successful tour through the United States of America.
In 2005 TAP DOGS celebrated their 10th anniversary with Dein Perry returning to the stage delivering a sell out national tour of Australia and an Australian Dance Award for most Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer. Dein Perry’s TAP DOGS is Australia’s greatest stage export. The show is in its sixteenth year and continues to tour internationally.
To ensure the unique TAP DOGS style continues, Dein Perry established a new breed of young dancers known as the TAP PUPS. Dein manages and teaches children’s tap classes in Sydney, Newcastle and the Gold Coast. There are over 100 Tap Pups enrolled and many have performed alongside TAP DOGS at national events.
In 2006 Dein directed DAVID CAMPBELL – WILD WITH STYLE. Produced by New Theatricals. WILD WITH STYLE enjoyed a sell out season at the Sydney Opera House.
The commencement of 2007 saw Dein Perry appointed as the Game Day and Special Events Producer for the SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS Rugby League Club. Dein instigated the creation of the innovative RABBITOHS DRUM SQUAD. 2011 is Dein’s fifth year in this role..
In 2007 Dein Perry was invited to join forces with HUMAN NATURE as the group’s Director for their 2007 National Motown Arena Spectacular Tour.
Dein, in conjunction with Cambridge Events, was a creative producer for the 2008 NRL GRAND FINAL entertainment.
Dein choreograhed 20 Tap Dogs to perform at the opening of the the prestigious 2010 Rugby League DALLY M AWARDS at the State Theatre. Later that year Dein was approached to help plan the 10th Birthday celebrations for VIRGIN BLUE. Dein choreographed an energetic routine that included 20 Tap Dogs, 40 Flight Attendants, a Boeing 737-800 and Sir Richard Branson himself.
2010 kept Dein busy as he auditioned, rehearsed and rebranded Tap Dogs troupes around the world. Tours continued in North America, Canada with a special return season at the Novella Theatre in the West End.
The new branded TAP DOGS with unstoppable energy returned to Sydney in January 2011 for an exclusive season at the Capitol Theatre. |
