The six-man cast of the European tour of Tap Dogs tapped their way to the top prize July 11 at the Spoleto Festival (Italy) of the Two Worlds. They wooed the jury and the public with their acrobatic choreography on a set depicting a construction site.

In awarding the Pegasus, the festival's coveted top honor, the jury stated: "Tap Dogs displays a powerful sense of innovation, along with skill and professionalism."

"The nice thing is that this show comes from Australia," said Nigel Triffitt, the show's artistic director, "about as far away as you can get. And to be rewarded at one of Europe's most prestigious festivals is quite extraordinary."

Previous awards have gone to Swedish film and stage director Ingmar Bergman, American choreographer Jerome Robbins and to composer Gian Carlo Menotti, who founded the festival 39 years ago.

The company of the American tour of Tap Dogs continues in performance at the Union Square Theatre, 100 East 17th Street at Park Avenue South, in New York.-- By Ellis Nassour