Movie Week on Strictly

Movie Week on Strictly is always a good opportunity for the props, costume, makeup and set teams to go to town on the things they do best. No one could fail to admire and appreciate the extra effort; I think it’s the first time we’ve had animation and CGI cartoon characters joining in the opening dance sequence, could be wrong but I don’t remember that before. I did wonder how that came across to the audience in the studio; perhaps they relayed it onto the monitors around the studio? If you were there, perhaps you can share the story.

Best costume and set this week I think was the street commercial piece from Dev and Dianne dancing to Ali Baba’s famous tune. As the judges said: ’A true magic carpet ride…’ that was awesome. I was a little surprised there wasn’t at least one 10 on the scores, but I suppose seeing it back again today, yes it was very good but a few small errors to justify a round of 9s. So pleased that Dev got to do that for his sisters, it will be something they will al remember for years to come, what a feel good dance.

There were several very good couples this week. Michelle and Giovanni opened the show with a Quickstep that took us straight into the world of Barbra Streisand and Cabaret; it felt as if both Michelle and Giovanni were almost channelling the characters, so very well done; great speed, synchronization, musicality , timing and characterisation – awesome way to start the show.

Then Katharine and Johannes’s Rumba to A Star is Born brought tears to Shirley’s eyes as ‘….the best Rumba in week 3 ever…beautiful in every sense of the word.’ It was lovely to watch, though if someone didn’t know it was a Rumba they could have been forgiven for thinking it was a Showdance, just not enough basic steps for me, though still lovely to watch. A number of my students do comment that the dances are sometimes hard to recognise, and to be fair sometimes the music the couples get given to dance too isn’t the easiest of choices either.

And then one has to admire Karim and Amy dancing a Samba dressed as a panda and big cat from Kung Fu Panda; they must have been hot I those costumes but did a very cute Samba nonetheless. Karim has some good hip movement and seems to be able to manage both Latin and Ballroom styles; definitely one to watch for the final line up

Kelvin and Oti’s Charleston to Mary Poppins Returns was another WOW moment. As Craig said, ‘Fabulous…’ they made it look so easy and gave a performance as good as any on a West End stage. Really liked the characterisation, and it was recognisable as a Charleston too.

Those not doing so well, Anneka definitely not as comfortable this week dancing a Charleston to Kill Bill; having said she was not a frock person, she had realised that she rather enjoyed wearing that pretty pink number last week and really want to be back in a dress again soon. Rather an awkward dance, confirmed by their bottom of the leader board score, so depends on whether she gets the public vote as to whether the ball gown is back on the agenda. I hope so because she has potential and is clearly loving learning to dance. Interesting to hear the judges mention about the need to push from the standing leg – take note my lovely dancers, it’s not the moving leg that makes the step happen, but the standing leg that gives a move impetus.

David and Nadya were also improved this week after being in the dance off in week two, and achieved some good lifts in their Viennese Waltz to Batman for Ever. Viscountess Emma, not sure why we have to have the peerage bit in there on the titles, other than to distinguish her from the other Emma perhaps, seems a bit odd. And between the two Emmas the Vicountess definitely has more work to do on her top line which marred an otherwise passable Foxtrot with some good basic feather steps and heel turns.

Of those in the middle of the leader board, I felt Emma and Anton’s Salsa to the Austin Powers set was the most fun and enjoyable. They both looked the part, and matched each other perfectly in a very entertaining routine. There was a moment of embarrassment at the end when Craig suggested that Anton was wearing false teeth to complete his outfit - actually the teeth were Anton’s own – a genuine error for sure as it was obvious that Craig was embarrassed, but of course Anton as ever smiled graciously, a real gent. Actually, despite Anton being the King of the Ballroom, I think their Salsa was one of the best dances I’ve seen him do on Strictly for a long time, not perfect but certainly worthy of a ‘…groovy baby…’ swinging 60s plaudit.

This year’s Strictly has some lovely dancers, not sure who is my favourite yet thought Michelle is definitely flying the flag for the older lady and I’d definitely like to see Anton and Emma make it to Christmas this year. Do share your thoughts, dancing is such a joyous yet personal thing that it’s always good to hear what others think. If you fancy having a go at learning to dance, do check our our classes in High Wycombe on the website, comedancingwithme.co.uk – we welcome everyone and offer classes or options to suit all levels.