IT COULD be the biggest on-stage showdown since the Jets met the Sharks or the Capulets took on the Montagues.

Warwick will have its own stage production in the vein of West Side Story and Romeo and Juliet when Let It Rock premieres on Friday night.

The concert, which promises to be another impressive effort by KSD Performing Arts Academy, has the works:

• A battle between warring factions (tap and jazz gangs);
• The turmoil experienced by star-crossed lovers;
• Some edgy choreography by its own skilled teachers and guest choreographers;
• All genres of dance - tap, jazz, ballet (including pointe), contemporary and acrobatics; and
• A live band.

This year the school has experienced the talents of international tap performer Justin Tamblyn.

Formerly a full-time dancer and part-time student, Mr Tamblyn now spends his weekdays teaching at Warwick West (and tap at KSD) and his weekends on the road with Those Tap Guys.

Only a few weeks ago, he flew to China for the weekend to perform in Taiwan.

Warwick audiences can see Mr Tamblyn both with the tap gang and as a solo artist, as well as his work as choreographer of two tap classes.

The other guest artist, Brittany Banwell-Young, is well known on the south-east Queensland eisteddfod circuit. She coached the jazz gang and her choreography adds an edgy dimension to the KSD offering.

The original script for Let It Rock has been written by KSD principal dance teacher Hanneke Taylor and drama teacher Tanya Wright.

The show highlights the plight of young love and stars talented teenagers Ruby Doolan and Jordan Briggs (who played the lead in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat at SOTE last year).

Three Warwick blokes who have never seen a dance concert will also front up for weekend performances.

Vellacott brothers Ben, Clayton and Morgan will add to the rock theme when they perform live at both concerts.

Let It Rock

• When: Friday and Saturday, from 6.30pm.
• Where: Town Hall.
• Features: Thirty-plus dances to rock music in all genres.