I've been a Strictly Come Dancing addict since the very first series but haven't religiously attended the tours as they don't come to any of the venues near me. It wasn't until last year when Chris Hollins, my favourite contestant of all time, announced he was taking part that I had a great enough desire to travel all the way to the NEC in Birmingham and watch. It was well worth the trip but this year I was again left thinking that I had so much other stuff on did I really want to spend yet another weekend travelling to see a show. Then my mother uttered the amazing words "Ann Widdecombe is dancing with Craig Revel Horwood!" Suddenly my desire to go to Birmingham again had returned, and once I'd seen the photos online of the two of them dancing together that was it - I HAD to go! And I did, for the matinee on Sunday 6th February.
The Strictly Come Dancing tour offers everything that you see on TV and more besides, with couples made up of a celebrity and a professional dancer performing two dances each in the hope of winning the judges' approval and the votes of the audience, which are collected via text message. Throw into the mix the live band, video clips from training and spectacular group dances and you have all the magic of Strictly live in front of you.
The line up this year were predominantly contestants from the most recent series of Strictly; Matt Baker and Aliona Vilani (my personal favourite couple of 2010), Patsy Kensit and Robin Windsor, Tina O'Brien and Jared Murillo, Pamela Stephenson and James Jordan, and Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev were all reunited. Jimi Mistry was given a new partner in Kristina Rihanoff. Ola Jordan swapped celebrity partner Paul Daniels (another of my 2010 favourites) for former Strictly finalist Colin Jackson, and 2009 finalists Ricky Whittle and Natalie Lowe were back dancing together again.
In a change to last year, there were only three judges, but I can't say I particularly missed having Arlene Phillips there. Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood played up to their television personas brilliantly to create what can only be described as pure pantomime. Bruno was as extravagant as ever, flinging his arms around and climbing all over the judges desk, Craig was extra specially grumpy and Len's comments were packed full of wit and innuendo. The show was hosted by former Strictly contestant Zoe Ball. Not only was her presenting style and personality perfect for this role, she also proved she has very much still got it by dancing in the opening group number.
The tour definately has a greater fun factor than the television show. Although all the contestants still want to be the ones to win over the audience and get the most votes, the removal of the threat of elimination means that the contestants can relax and enjoy it more so their love of dance and Strictly really shines through. They are also less afraid to answer the judges back. With them performing the same show night after night, obviously a lot of the banter is scripted but this doesn't stop them going off on one. By far the funniest example of this was Ricky Whittle after Craig had told him off for singing along to the music while he was dancing. Ricky defended his singing, claiming he was expressing himself - something that Craig couldn't do because of all the botox! Craig quite obviously wasn't expecting that come back because he turned from hard man to pussycat in no time flat, commenting that was funny and sadly true. While Craig had a drink of his water to calm his giggles, Len was called upon to give his opinions of Ricky's dance. I don't quite know what happened next but I'm guessing Craig must have coughed or started giggling again because as Len launched into his spiel, Craig launched a large mouthful of water all over him! This was probably one of those 'you had to be there' moments but I'm sure I wasn't the only person in the audience crying with laughter.
Craig trying to drown Len aside, there were many other highlights of the show for me. Having voted for him, it was wonderful to see Matt Baker dancing live and he most certainly did not disappoint as his performances were even more captivating in the flesh. Seeing Pamela Stephenson and James Jordan dance the Argentine Tango that they didn't get chance to perform after they were knocked out of the final was well worth the wait. The greatest highlight however was seeing Artem Chigvintsev's choreography being performed live. His American Smooth to Cry Me A River was my favourite routine of the 2010 series but seeing it performed live took it to another level. It was totally spellbinding and quite simply beautiful.
Once all the couples had performed twice it happened, the moment that had made me get on that coach to Birmingham in the first place. The Widdy came wandering onto the floor to her infamous Titanic music, calling for her Anton, only to collide with nemesis, Craig Revel Horwood! They launched into a Charleston routine that was packed with the tricks and gimmicks that Ann had become famous for. Craig completely threw himself into the routine as well as throwing Ann all over the place, and on a serious note as a big fan it was great to see Craig up dancing.
An amazing show and well worth the journey, just wish they'd bring it to Cardiff.
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