Sunday Service: Week 8
With places in the Blackpool show at stake, everyone wanted to show that they deserve to perform at one of Britain's most famous and iconic ballrooms.
Anita & Gleb started the show with their quickstep. Once again, it was a lovely performance from Anita. I loved the whole section in the middle of the dance which was out of hold, great choreography. They were pretty together throughout. The only thing I didn't like was the 'through the legs' moment. It doesn't really have a place in the quickstep. Anita continues to be a pleasure to watch.
Jay & Aliona's foxtrot was a nice enough routine, but Jay still lacks emotion. It was a little mechanical. I liked the opening and ending. Aliona's turns were stunning, and Jay supported her well. In hold he was less inspiring, but still solid. Such a shame about the little stumble.
Jamelia & Tristan spent too much of the samba out of hold for me. But then I am not really sure how anyone can be expected to choreograph a samba to A Little Respect. A cha cha if you have to. Maybe a foxtrot. But not a samba. Anyway, Jamelia's technique has improved a little. She did straighten her knees properly in places, although the technique seemed to wane as the dance wore on. There was too much wiggling, and not enough attempt at proper samba hip action. And I had to agree with Craig about her hands on the running promenades. Ugly.
Helen & Aljaž's tango was lovely. The routine was excellent. Helen was really sharp, and it had great drive. In fact, my only criticisms are nothing to do with Helen's performance. It would've been off the chart to a better piece of music, though. The song, Hold Back The River, totally killed the drama of the dance. I would love to see the dance set to another piece of music, or with a tango-style arrangement. Also, can someone tell Gilkison that those billowing metres of fabric that he is so fond of are really annoying in group numbers, and even more so in front of a single couple. Still, it's better than props or backing dancers I suppose.
Katie & Anton's 'grown-up' rumba was so old school, I thought I was watching an episode from 2006. I haven't seen such 'classic' choreography since the early days of Strictly. We all know Anton can't choreograph latin. He can't do sexy rumba. He can't do romantic rumba. He can't to that modern, lyrical rumba that the new pros are so fond of. So he went for basic, basic rumba. And pivots. Lots of pivots. Katie needs to finish her lines properly - she had very odd hands at times. She also needs to perform out to the audience more. Throughout the dance, she seemed to be looking to Anton for reassurance, and not performing for the audience.
I really enjoyed Kellie & Kevin's weird hip-hop/samba fusion. It totally worked for me. I think Kevin did a good job mashing up the two styles. And Kellie's samba technique was very good. It was heaps of fun, and I loved it.
Peter & Janette's Viennese waltz was a bit too aggressive for me. There was too much attack for a dance that should be smooth and should glide across the floor. It was pleasant enough, but nothing special. The music was too fast.
Georgia & Giovanni. OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! I LOVED THEIR CHARLESTON! The beautiful swivels. That freakishly amazing lift. The nod to the choreography from the Chicago stage show. It was almost flawless. Just a teeny tiny stumble from Georgia.
If only Jeremy & Karen hadn't had to go right after Georgia & Giovanni. It made their quickstep look a bit boring. It was pleasant enough. Jeremy picks up his knees too much, which makes the whole thing looks odd. On the Charleston sections, he was lifting his knees up, rather than kicking his legs up sideways. He doesn't drive enough, although I wonder if that is because of the height difference between him and Karen. He could have stretched out so much more with a taller partner. I liked the routine, though. Great musicality.
Georgia totally smashed it this week. I also really enjoyed Helen and Kellie. I would be hugely surprised not to see Jamelia in the dance-off this week. She had a stay of execution last week, but her days are numbered. The only person she might be able to beat in the dance-off is Jeremy, and I really think the viewers will save him. They want to see what happens in Blackpool. But who will be against Jamelia? I think Peter might find himself in the bottom two tonight. Or possibly Katie.
Here are the videos...
Anita & Gleb
Jay & Aliona
Jamelia & Tristan
Helen & Aljaž
Katie & Anton
Kellie & Kevin
Peter & Janette
Georgia & Giovanni
Jeremy & Karen
Anita & Gleb started the show with their quickstep. Once again, it was a lovely performance from Anita. I loved the whole section in the middle of the dance which was out of hold, great choreography. They were pretty together throughout. The only thing I didn't like was the 'through the legs' moment. It doesn't really have a place in the quickstep. Anita continues to be a pleasure to watch.
Jay & Aliona's foxtrot was a nice enough routine, but Jay still lacks emotion. It was a little mechanical. I liked the opening and ending. Aliona's turns were stunning, and Jay supported her well. In hold he was less inspiring, but still solid. Such a shame about the little stumble.
Jamelia & Tristan spent too much of the samba out of hold for me. But then I am not really sure how anyone can be expected to choreograph a samba to A Little Respect. A cha cha if you have to. Maybe a foxtrot. But not a samba. Anyway, Jamelia's technique has improved a little. She did straighten her knees properly in places, although the technique seemed to wane as the dance wore on. There was too much wiggling, and not enough attempt at proper samba hip action. And I had to agree with Craig about her hands on the running promenades. Ugly.
Helen & Aljaž's tango was lovely. The routine was excellent. Helen was really sharp, and it had great drive. In fact, my only criticisms are nothing to do with Helen's performance. It would've been off the chart to a better piece of music, though. The song, Hold Back The River, totally killed the drama of the dance. I would love to see the dance set to another piece of music, or with a tango-style arrangement. Also, can someone tell Gilkison that those billowing metres of fabric that he is so fond of are really annoying in group numbers, and even more so in front of a single couple. Still, it's better than props or backing dancers I suppose.
Katie & Anton's 'grown-up' rumba was so old school, I thought I was watching an episode from 2006. I haven't seen such 'classic' choreography since the early days of Strictly. We all know Anton can't choreograph latin. He can't do sexy rumba. He can't do romantic rumba. He can't to that modern, lyrical rumba that the new pros are so fond of. So he went for basic, basic rumba. And pivots. Lots of pivots. Katie needs to finish her lines properly - she had very odd hands at times. She also needs to perform out to the audience more. Throughout the dance, she seemed to be looking to Anton for reassurance, and not performing for the audience.
I really enjoyed Kellie & Kevin's weird hip-hop/samba fusion. It totally worked for me. I think Kevin did a good job mashing up the two styles. And Kellie's samba technique was very good. It was heaps of fun, and I loved it.
Peter & Janette's Viennese waltz was a bit too aggressive for me. There was too much attack for a dance that should be smooth and should glide across the floor. It was pleasant enough, but nothing special. The music was too fast.
Georgia & Giovanni. OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! I LOVED THEIR CHARLESTON! The beautiful swivels. That freakishly amazing lift. The nod to the choreography from the Chicago stage show. It was almost flawless. Just a teeny tiny stumble from Georgia.
If only Jeremy & Karen hadn't had to go right after Georgia & Giovanni. It made their quickstep look a bit boring. It was pleasant enough. Jeremy picks up his knees too much, which makes the whole thing looks odd. On the Charleston sections, he was lifting his knees up, rather than kicking his legs up sideways. He doesn't drive enough, although I wonder if that is because of the height difference between him and Karen. He could have stretched out so much more with a taller partner. I liked the routine, though. Great musicality.
Georgia totally smashed it this week. I also really enjoyed Helen and Kellie. I would be hugely surprised not to see Jamelia in the dance-off this week. She had a stay of execution last week, but her days are numbered. The only person she might be able to beat in the dance-off is Jeremy, and I really think the viewers will save him. They want to see what happens in Blackpool. But who will be against Jamelia? I think Peter might find himself in the bottom two tonight. Or possibly Katie.
Here are the videos...
Anita & Gleb
Jay & Aliona
Jamelia & Tristan
Helen & Aljaž
Katie & Anton
Kellie & Kevin
Peter & Janette
Georgia & Giovanni
Jeremy & Karen
posted by Loulabelle44 @ 2:55 pm
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