Stunning may be an over-used word, but it is the only way to describe the performance of flamenco master Jay Markwick and his dance company, Compania de Flamenco, who gave a one-night performance at the Basildon Towngate theatre on Monday.

At 22, Jay is already the crown prince of flamenco in his adopted country of Spain, and you can see why he is unchallenged. The opening five minutes of Explosion, the company’s showcase production, should be enough to convince anyone that this is an international superstar in the making.

In terms of impact, Explosion invites comparison with Riverdance. But it offers a bigger repertoire of dance styles, more inventive choreography and more fabulous footwork than its Irish dance counterpart.

Local audiences were given an early introduction to this breathtaking display of athleticism and style at the start of CdF’s first international tour. Essex boyMarkwick was born and raised in Corringham, before moving to Spain at the age of eight, and says “I wanted to kick off in my home-town theatre.”

Flamenco may not be the default choice of dance in Basildon clubland, but you do not need any great knowledge of the style to become drawn into flamenco’s world of movement and music.

The first half of the show demonstrates the historic range and beauty of this dance, which is far more rich and varied than the cliched tourist ad image would suggest.

The second half then develops flamenco for the modern sensibility, in a series of scenes that range from the mean street of a run-down Spanish industrial city to the realm of the human sub-conscious. This section is energised by ever more inventive dance-work – Markwick is as accomplished a choreographer as he is a dancer.

Markwick has found a dance partner with a talent to match his own in Victoria Guijarro Hernandez.

Between them they are guaranteed to make flamenco enthusiasts of us all.

TOM KING