Bouncing in from Brazil

Roughly translated as the Body Group, Grupo Corpo's name tells you all you need to know about its approach to dance. The Brazilian visitor, formed 30-odd years ago in the province of Minas Gerais, has 22 able dancers, all nimble and fleet, and a choreographer, Rodrigo Pederneiras, who maximises their stretch and kick potential.

Subtlety is not Rodrigo's bag, nor is softly-paced drama or psychological insight. Instead he goes for full-out physicality, a sort of non-stop show dancing with layer upon layer of athleticism, with romantic, kooky and mildly mystical elements piled on top.

Much is made of Grupo Corpo's Brazilian-ness, but apart from the energy, there was less samba and capoeira than you'd expect. The feel is more international modern, with the dancers easily equal to the best we see in London, even if the choreography was mostly below it.

You feel this especially in the opening number, O Corpo (The Body). This repetitive, over-athletic piece had the dancers in pixie boots, ruched ankle warmers and clownish puffed knickers, and a sound track that included "grunts, screams, gasps, stomach growls, skin rubbings, salivation, blood running through veins, etc", plus waves crashing on rocks and digital smash. Then there were the new lows in lighting (red dots, red splodges, red boxes).

Choreographer Pederneiras is keen on shifting swathes of dancers, marshalling his troupe in synchronised groups, like an aerobics class, moving across the stage in twos and threes, then all at once, with flexed feet and stretched limbs and numerous kicks and leaps. Initially, there is athletic appeal, but diminishing returns soon set in. Much better was Lecuona, set to the lush songs of the "Cuban Gershwin" Ernesto Lecuona.

The piece was a series of romantic duets, with the women in rather foxy chiffon cocktail dresses and the men in black trews and tees. The mood was speakeasy-with-dance-floor, and the liaisons shifted from larky to erotic, and on to broken dreams. Some of the partnering was ingenious, especially the girl in the blue dress who hung from her lover's arm like a hastily removed garment.

Grupo Corpo is a family affair. Choreography is by Rodrigo Pederneiras, sets and lighting by Paulo Pederneiras, also the artistic director, and Pedro Pederneiras is technical director. The programme photos are by Jose Luiz Pederneiras. It may work for them, but audiences need what genetic scientists call an out-cross.

Until Saturday. Information: 0870 737 7737.

Grupo Corpo: Double Bill (O Corpo/Lecuona)