Monday Musings: Week 13 - The Final

I came into the final not really minding which of the finalists would life the glitterball, and I left the programme feeling the same way.

I wasn’t sure if the final could top the semi-final last week, and in some ways it didn’t, because we were only treated to one new dance per couple. Yes, we got to enjoy some other routines again, but it’s really only the showdances that we tune in for. And for that reason, I am only going to comment on these.

The showdances actually seem superfluous these days. What was once a chance to let loose and create something outside of the shackles of ballroom and latin, the showdance is now just a ‘greatest hits’ routine, devoid of anything exciting or new. It seems to be there to showcase what each celebrity has learnt, rather than really being an opportunity to convince the public they deserve to win (or not). Now we have Couples’ Choice, it serves the very purpose that the showdance used to. The showdance is completely redundant. It’s a nice full stop on the series, but it’s not exciting.

JB & Lauren were up first with their Motown routine. It totally showcased JB’s ability to get funky. Lovely partner work, but lots showcasing both of them individually too. It was fun and very easy on the eye. It was relaxed and cool.

I am inclined to agree that Tasha is one of the best dancers we have ever had on Strictly. I'd put her up there with the liked of Ashley Roberts, Natalie Gumede and Danny Mac. She is stunning to watch. Her Sing, Sing, Sing showdance with Aljaž was pure Hollywood glamour. She looked perfect. I loved this routine.

Chris & Dianne's routine was 100% a 'greatest hits' routine, more so than the others, but it was still enjoyable. I loved You Get What You Give as a song choice, mainly because of the lyric "One dance left". It was joyful, and showed what Chris has accomplished.

Sarah & Vito's Cabaret routine was probably by least favourite of the four. That doesn't make it bad, it wasn't at all. The lifts were ambitious, and she sold it all the way through. But it was slightly less tidy than the others, and there were a lot more poses. It was a great routine, but more of a performance than a dance. 

Chris & Dianne were very worthy winners, and were definitely the people’s champions, despite being consistently lower than the others on the leaderboard throughout the competition. I ended up voting for them because it is amazing what they have both achieved. 

I cannot wait to see what happens on the Strictly tour in the new year. Without Chris, it will be a head-to-head between the other three celebrities, who are all dancing with their original partners (including Amy apparently). And yes, I know Shayne, Montell, Wynne and Jamie are also on the tour, but surely the tour winners will be one of our final couples. It's going to be interesting. See you at The O2!

Thursday Thoughts: Week 12 - Semi-Final

What an amazing semi-final. There were so many wonderful routines! It was one of the best shows all-round that we have seen for a long time. Highlight after highlight.

Tasha & Aljaž's salsa started off in a very high-energy way. Tasha's jump from the platform into Aljaž's arms was breathtaking. Her spins throughout were fast, without losing focus. I loved the first big lift, where she slowly walked her feet round the inversion. Unfortunately, the other lifts looked too telegraphed. You could see her lining up for them - put leg here for Aljaž to take hold. But I loved it otherwise.

Their waltz was stunning. It can be a hard dance to make interesting, but I was hooked from the beginning. Tasha was the perfect Disney princess. Gorgeous feet, gorgeous frame (although I did wonder if perhaps Aljaž's right arm was too high in places...), gorgeous rise and fall. I loved it so much, I almost didn't think about Murphy Brown at all...

I loved JB & Lauren's very gothic paso doble. The chemistry between them was spot-on. It was a battle, but yet they were so in sync with each other. It was passionate and dramatic. JB absolutely nailed it. The only thing which could have made it better would have been single-handed cape work. Loved it!

Their salsa was a total groove. It was more earthy than Tasha & Aljaž's routine, and had fewer challenging lifts, which I think was a good thing because it made for a slicker performance. This is the type of routine where JB thrives. Delightful.

Chris & Dianne's Charleston was light and fun. Full of funny moments. His swivvel was OK. It wasn't the most finessed Charleston we've ever seen, but it was entertaining.

Their Viennese waltz, however, was so effective and impactful. Nothing Else Matters is such as beautiful song, and they used it beautifully. It had so much emotion. They covered the floor beautifully well. I got really emotional watching Chris' flerkerl - it was possibly the first time anything had drawn attention to his disability in the whole series. He gave a brilliant attempt at something he has never seen. It got me. A routine which we'll remember in years to come.

I loved Sarah & Vito's tango. It was dramatic from start to finish, and packed full of content. As always, Vito threw everything it at, and Sarah nailed it. She left nothing on the floor. Amazing.

Their jive was a little 'upright' for me, which has been Sarah's issue with Latin throughout the competition. I wonder if her heels are a bit too high for her. They did seem to be ahead of the music through much of the routine as well. It was one of the weaker points of the night for me.

Pete & Jowita's foxtrot was a little close to American smooth for my taste, but he did a good job. It was classy and classic. Credit to Pete for never dancing over Jowita. So many celebs with shorter partners end up leaning forward, but he has always maintained his own frame and posture. The routine nicely showed how far he has progressed, although I am not keen on the "Mr. Strictly Come Dancing" proclamation. I disagree with statements of "what Strictly is all about". It's up to viewers to decide whether Strictly is about dancing, the partnership, the personalities or the journey. It's personal preference.

For the Argentine tango, it was clear that Jowita was in full Ola Jordan mode, totally dancing around Pete while he did a lot of standing. To his credit, he does present her quite nicely and lifts her well, but I wouldn't say he was leading her.

Like most others, I was relieved to see Pete leave the competition. I have really enjoyed his journey, but I prefer everyone else left.

I am now concerned that the final won't reach the peak of the semi-. It was so good. Can the final possibly top it?

Panto Round-Up

Want to know where to find Strictly participants past and present in theatres around the country this year? You're in the right place.

Craig Revel Horwood (judge), Peter Pan - Milton Keynes Theatre, Milton Keynes

Kai Widdrington (pro), Peter Pan - The Auditorium @ M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool

Karen Hauer (pro), Sleeping Beauty - Middleton Arena, Rochdale

AJ Pritchard (ex-pro), Cinderella - Fareham Live, Fareham

Brendan Cole (ex-pro), Goldilocks & The Three Bears - Hull New Theatre, Hull

James Jordan (ex-pro), Cinderella - Winding Wheel Theatre, Chesterfield

Joanne Clifton (ex-pro), Cinderella - Royal & Derngate, Northampton

Julian Clary (Series 2), Robin Hood, London Palladium, London

Gethin Jones (Series 5), Cinderella - New Theatre, Cardiff

Dani Harmer (Series 10), Beauty & The Beast - Grand Opera House, York

Louis Smith (Series 10), Snow White - New Theatre Royal, Lincoln

Scott Mills (Series 12), Jack & The Beanstalk - Grand Theatre, Swansea

Danny Mac (Series 14), Peter Pan - Birmingham Hippodrome, Birmingham

Lesley Joseph (Series 14), Snow White - Theatre Royal, Plymouth

Ore Oduba (Series 14), Adaddin - Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells

Robert Rinder (Series 14), Snow White - Theatre Royal, Plymouth

Alexandra Burke (Series 15), Jack & The Beanstalk - New Wimbledon Theatre, London

Brian Conley (Series 15), Goldilocks & The Three Bears - Bristol Hippodrome, Bristol

Joe McFadden (Series 15), Jack & The Beanstalk - Central Theatre, Chatham

Faye Tozer (Series 16), Sleeping Beauty - New Victoria Theatre, Woking

Ranj Singh (Series 16), Snow White - Churchill Theatre, Bromley

Catherine Tyldsley (Series 17), Snow White- Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield

Karim Zeroual (Series 17), Aladdin - Beck Theatre, Hayes (Middx.)

Maisie Smith (Series 18), Beauty & The Beast - Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury

Su Pollard (Christmas 2011), Sleeping Beauty - Darlington Hippodrome, Darlington

Please drop me a line if I have missed anyone.

Friday Feelings: Week 11

This is always the easiest week to cover. Seven couples, seven routines, seven musicals.

Sarah & Vito got to kick things off with a Charleston to one of the biggest musicals of the moment - Wicked. The routine was a series of gravity defying lifts (see what I did there?). Sarah is so fearless! I would have liked Sarah in a slightly zanier role, rather than the more irritating role of Galinda, but she did what she could in the parameters of the character she was given. I barley noticed Vito.

Montell & Johannes were dealt a bit of a dirty hand. The music was very slow to begin with, and Montell didn't really breathe enough with it to fill the music. There was too much stillness. She also didn't always fill the space - her arms were too contracted in places. It was better when it sped and and there was more impetuous. But it was forgettable music, and rumba can be a hard sell. As soon as I watched the routine, I knew Montell would be in trouble. Incidentally, I saw the movie, and while I have never seen the original film or read the book, it absolutely did not work for me as a musical film. Maybe it was better on stage.

I loved Tasha & Aljaž's Argentine tango. The choreography was dynamic and intricate. She has such beautiful leg lines, and they were showed off to perfection. Absolutely amazing. I cannot understand why she was in the bottom two. Breathtaking.

Chris & Dianne's quickstep was light and joyful. Lovely, close hold throughout. I liked the cheekiness that they incorporated, as it is quite a cheeky number from Anything Goes. It was fast, flat and fabulous.

Oh, Pete. Pete really has hit his ceiling in the competition. I really like the fella, and I appreciate the progress he has made, but messing up and whisk and chassé in the quarter final is pretty unforgivable. It's one of the earlies waltz steps you learn. There was also a lift, Jowita's feet clearly left the floor, but I guess we don't care about that anymore.

JB & Lauren's Viennese waltz was a nice way to close the show. Pretty classic choreographically. Nothing daring or unexpected, but there is no need to take risks at this stage. I liked the flashes of red provided by JB's open jacket. I thought the additional dancers were a distraction here, as they didn't really add anything. A token lift of Lauren was all. But it enough to take them through.

I was sorry to see Montell in the dance-off again. She did not deserve to go home, although she had no chance against Tasha. The judges made the right decision, but it wasn't a decision they should have been left with.