Strictly Confidential The Mayflower Take three Strictly professional dancers, add a popular celebrity, combine it with a live band, throw in direction and choreography from the judge everyone loves to hate - and what have you got? Strictly Confidential, a brand new stage show.
For diehard Strictly Come Dancing fans, this new show has come at just the right time to ensure fans have their Strictly fix over the summer months before the BBC show starts again in the autumn.
It is always exciting to see a new show come to the stage so I wasn’t sure what to expect but I have to say I would have preferred more cha cha cha than chat chat chat.
The dance routines of the lithe long-legged Natalie Lowe and her dashing partner Ian Waite were simply stunning and the elegant way they moved across the large stage was mesmerizing to watch.
The show, written by the show’s Mr Nasty Craig Revel Horwood, is at times a bit bizarre like when Lisa pretends to be a London tour guide. This show centres around Lisa Riley – the "people’s favourite" of the last series – alongside professional dancers Ian Waite, Natalie Lowe, and Artem Chigvintsev, who arguably had the most fans in the audience, judging by the enthusiastic applause for him and his fondness for an open shirt showing off his toned 43 in chest in all its glory.
The show is an energetic mix of music and dance, interweaved with the four stars telling their own stories about how they got where they are today.
Lisa was my favourite celebrity in last year’s Strictly and it was a joy to see her back in some of her favourite strictly dresses again, allbeit without the gorgeous Robin Windsor by her side. Although she’s not fared too badly with being partnered with the equally easy-on-the eye Artem.
Blimey the girl can dance and is an equal match for the seasoned pros although I sense they have slightly slowed down their routines so she could catch her breath. And surprisingly she can belt out a tune as well. Is there no end to this woman’s talents?
There was a poignant moment when the former Emmerdale star spoke of losing her mum to cancer just a few weeks before she appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, and the band played a moving performance of In My Daughter’s Eyes.
A special mention must go to the five-piece band who were incredible especially the ultra powerful vocals of the female lead singer.
If I had one of the judge’s scoring paddles, then I would be giving the show len goodman's favourite score of '7'.
Strictly confidential runs until Sat.
Emma Allen
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