Globetrotters hit the heights

May 21 2007 By Anna Jeys, Birmingham Mail

THE reaction of my news editor when I told him I was going to the see The Harlem Globetrotters proves what basketball's dream team is all about.

Wide-eyed as soon as the name was mentioned, he regaled us with fond memories of seeing the team at the Wembley Arena as a child.

That same reaction was evident as fans stared in amazement when the tricksters bounced into Brum.

The show, based around a choreographed basketball game against the New York Nationals, is all about family entertainment.

Even someone who knew nothing about basketball would have enjoyed the amazing tricks and comedy. The team has been entertaining crowds for more than 50 years and obviously have a winning formula.

The audience watched in awe as players spun the ball over their fingers across shoulders and around their back.

The skilful sportsmen bounced the ball off various body parts, slid on the floor with the ball between their legs and slam-dunked their way to rapturous applause.

But it was the showmanship of the players that really held the audience, as constant humorous commentary was provided by the team's frontman, Showtime, and banter between the teammates had the audience in stitches.

The show is aimed at children, but as youngsters chuckled around me, their parents did too.

The comedy was mostly slapstick as buckets of water were thrown on the audience, and players "stole" handbags and trainers.

As the name of the tour suggests, there really is nothing else like this show.