Strictly Part 2

This weekend, it was time for Strictly in Manchester, this time accompanied by V, J and K, veterans of our ‘two years running’ Strictly Final party.

We set off in good time so that we had time to eat* before the show. I’d already betrayed my addiction level by dropping comments into the in car conversations about the results on the tour so far, and the fact that some people had missed a couple of shows this weekend with a bug.

I’d also managed to forget my mobile phone, so was reliant on borrowing K’s so that I could vote. As he’d indicated that the price would rise depending on how desperate I was, I was trying to hold it in, but failing pretty miserably. When the woman at the next table to us in Pizza Express said that she’d been at the afternoon show, and that Gethin and Flavia had won, I gave out a ‘YES!’

‘The cost of my phone just went up again!’

We took our seats. This time end on to the performance area, but further away. Whilst it was a much better overall view, it also made me appreciate how good it was to see the ‘whites of the eyes’ last week. Having told K and V that you could take photos, their camera wasn’t allowed in as it was classed as ‘professional’!

I was expecting it to be very similar to last week, and was actually surprised how different it was. The dances were the same, of course, and many of the ‘funny’ comments were scripted, but there was a lot of spontaneous stuff too. The performances have also developed over the week. Some have improved dramatically, and others, Julian in particular, are playing it totally for laughs. I was pleased to see that the judges did actually seem to be marking what they saw on the night, rather than their expectations of the dance.

At least we had a full complement of dancers (it must have been a considerably shorter show on Sat evening with two couples missing).

I’m not going blow by blow through the dances this time. Suffice to say, I was sitting next to a Tom fan, and she was thrilled by his performance, whilst I was impressed by Cherie and James’s rumba (which scored 40, and Len judged as better than R&V on the night), Jill and Darren’s foxtrot and jive, and, of course, Gethin and Flavia’s waltz.

It seemed to me that they were more comfortable as a partnership this time, and of course, it must have helped to have a couple of wins under their belt. The waltz was beautiful, even smoother than before, and they had changed the ending slightly. On a technical note, I felt he used his arms better this time. They got 39, and it would probably have been 40 if Craig hadn’t got a bit picky about an oversway!

In the interval, I started texting, whilst trying to show V how to do it. Looking at the audience, I did wonder how many of them were actually voting.

In the Latin section there was unintentional hilarity when Jodie kicked Ian somewhere uncomfortable in the jive, and when commenting first, Arlene launched into ‘wooden, stiff…’ and when she realised what she was saying, started to laugh.

R&V’s rumba got 38 this time, beaten by Cherie and James’s. As for Gethin and Flavia, I loved it, but again it wasn’t quite as exciting as it could be – I was very shocked, however to hear Craig and Arlene give them an 8!! It did get 10 from Len and Bruno though, but that left them on 36, and down the leader board. I could see my hopes of a repeat of the afternoon’s win vanishing. Julian and Lilia were hilarious in their samba, where he has stopped making any pretence of following the steps. They probably got the loudest cheers of the night.

The group dance was fabulous again, as were Matt and Kristina. And then it was time for the results. This time, Gethin and Flavia were the first ones announced as out of the running. I was then hoping for a Jill and Darren, or even a Julian and Lilia win, but it came down to R&V and J&L, with R&V winning (again!).

We did have a fabulous time, and the others loved it. K came out with lots of ideas for our next ‘Strictly’ party.

‘Next time, we need sparklers’ ‘And we need to all have costume changes so we can have a ballroom and Latin round’.

Looking at the queues out of the car park, we decided to look for somewhere to have a drink. We failed, but in our search came across the artist’s entrance. Peering through, we saw two huge tour buses, and Ian Waite, who came over to the gate and signed programmes, and was utterly lovely. He’s always been my favourite professional!

*Clearly I haven’t hit the ‘chips and wine’ stage, as I can still eat pre-show, which, lets face it, is more than I could do in the latter stages of Strictly 2007!

Flying the flag...for York

‘What’s with all the Eurovision?’ I whisper to J at the interval. We’re watching York Panto. This year it’s Dick Turpin. Not that it matters, as there’s never really any plot, just the ‘same old rubbish’ and the same faces year after year, and that’s the fun of it.

When Old Mother Shipton looks out into the audience for the ‘boys and girls’, she struggles. I can’t see a single child in the dress circle, and we only spot one in the bar.

Last year, they did a routine to Wild Dances, the Eurovision winner from Istanbul. This year, in Act 1, we’ve had Love Shine a Light. I’m starting to think someone here is a Eurovision fan.

When Act 2 opens with a vampire rock version* of Hard Rock Hallelujah, I’m convinced. We then get the most brilliant MYMU** routine seen this side of Bucks Fizz. It’s spot on, and I am in fits – so much so that the chap in front turns round at the end and says ‘you have an amazing laugh’, which I take to mean I was very loud.

Finally, we have a version of Flying the Flag, which tips me over the edge. I am almost crying with laughter. But it works really well.

Apparently, this year the V&A are recording it for posterity. It deserves it. I still didn’t get a Wagon Wheel though!

*Too difficult to explain, honestly
** Making Your Mind Up, of course!

On the way to the Arena

‘What are you going to see?’ The taxi driver asks as we set off.

‘Strictly Come Dancing Live’, I reply, as nonchalantly as possible given that I have about a million butterflies, and need wine.

He groans, ‘I think shows like that should be banned. You wouldn’t pay that to see professional dancers, so why pay it to see people who can’t dance’.

‘Well, it’s much better than X Factor, anyway!’

‘The only shows I like are the auditions’. I say nothing, as those are the shows I dislike most. ‘I think such shows should be banned from the BBC, they should show something educational’. The BBC reality tv snob in me stays silent.

'Come on, argue back, I like a good rant before I go off for the evening?'

Why, oh why, do people say this? This isn't what my evening is about.'I can't be bothered' I reply.

‘Are you going on your own?’ Somehow, in his head, I feel this would make me look sadder than I already am. As I do not want to be patronised by a Newcastle cabbie, I invent an imaginary friend who I’m meeting.

We arrive at the Arena.

‘Well, enjoy it, anyway’.
‘Thank you, I’m sure I shall’, and I, and my sparkly ‘Strictly’ shoes, get out of the cab, and mount the steps into the Arena.

And I do.

Fab-u-lous!

Indulge me on this one, and be grateful you don’t have to listen to me (though for some of you who read this, you might have to do that as well!) I will understand if you leave halfway through!

Remember the Jones boy, and my excitement when I saw that he was doing this year’s Strictly Come Dancing Tour? Well, my excitement led to my purchase of the single front row ticket for Newcastle that was still available, and clearly had my name on it!

Yesterday, the day finally came. I’d not been to the Metro Arena before, but I really like it. It’s a good size, without being so huge that the performers look like ants – not that there was much chance of that from where I was sitting.

Expensive souvenir programme* purchased, complete with score cards, I took my seat. Right at the front, towards the judges seats, and near where the couples stood to receive their scores. The only downside of this was that the dances are very much performed 'out front' which means I did get a lot of back views. Could have been better directed I think, for an Arena event!

I immediately loved the set – all sparkle and glitter (and you know how I’m a girl who loves my glitter). Then it was time for everyone to make their entrance – Kate Thornton, the Judges, and then the contestants. Most of the outfits were those worn for the same dances on tv, the only new ones being for ‘new’ partnerships, so of course Flavia had a new dress for her waltz with Gethin. First we had the ballroom round.

First up were Tom and Camilla doing their quickstep. It is probably my favourite of his ballroom dances, as I do like the solo tap dance at the start (though Len, predictably, isn’t keen). They did it well, and got a 38 (I wouldn’t have given it a 10 though!). I still can’t raise much enthusiasm for Tom. He was very much playing to the crowd, and I do find him smug, though maybe that’s just his face, and he can’t help it!

Next, we had Cherie and James with their American Smooth. Now, as you know, she was one of my early favourites this year, but didn’t really connect with the public. This was well danced, but not quite as ‘smooth’ as others. I do think ‘Layla’ is an odd choice of music for an AS too. Score: 35.

Kenny and Ola next. Now, I really got to like Kenny, as he was fun, and didn’t take himself too seriously, and he was the same here. They did a Viennese Waltz, which was pretty good, and he had some fun banter with the judges. A point here, it seemed to me that much of the ‘banter’ around the scoring was scripted, and I guess I’ll find out just how much when I go again. Score: 30.

Then Jodie and Ian, who I’d really liked on the show. Their partnership came over as just as much fun, and as close as it had always appeared. Ian had a lovely interaction with the audience too. They did an American Smooth, which I thought was lovely, and very elegant, but the judges called her flat footed! They scored 31, and I felt could have been marked higher.

Next up were Rachel and Vincent with their Tango. It was excellent, very clean, and they moved beautifully together, but for me, there remains something about Rachel which doesn’t connect emotionally**. They got a 39 for it, however, with only Craig not giving a perfect score.

And then it was the moment I’d been waiting for. Before the dance, there was a short video about the couple, and they spoke of Gethin and Flavia previously being rivals, and now partners, showing that moment in the semi final when Len chose Matt and Flavia over Gethin and Camilla – not a good choice, as I still can’t watch it without pain*** - and then they were on, and taking their places in the centre of the dance floor. In the main, it was the same waltz he had danced with Camilla (believe me, I know, I’ve watched it so many times), most of the moves, the music, with a different start and ending. I thought it was beautiful. Quiet, charming and slightly heartbreaking. He looked extremely elegant in his tail suit. In the comments, it was said there wasn’t quite enough sway, and I could see what they meant, partly, I think because Flavia is much shorter than Camilla, and he still seems to be learning how to work with that. Also the partnership doesn’t yet have, and probably will never have, the chemistry that he had with Camilla, because they haven’t gone though the show together. Still, they got 38, with 10’s from Len and Bruno.

Next were Julian and Lilia, another new partnership, as he previously danced with Erin. They did a quickstep, which was fun, but technically pretty poor. I did find myself wondering yet again how he made the final at the expense of ‘my’ Aled. They were pretty much slated by the judges, and Julian responded that Lilia had messed up a bit, but then they’re there for the comedy value, and they were fun. Score: 28

Finally, the home town girl, Jill and Darren with a foxtrot to ‘All That Jazz’. Having come to the show about halfway through series 2, I’m less familiar with their dances, apart from the famous jive, but this was excellent, and she was able to express her personality in the dance in a way that Rachel couldn’t. They got a rousing reception, and a score of 39, which they pretty much deserved.

Then we could start voting. This year, the decision rests totally on the audience vote, with the judges scores not counting, but I was already aware that Rachel and Vincent had, to my surprise, come out as winners in the first three shows. Still, I was going to make sure my boy got a few votes.

The second half began with a professional group dance, part paso, part jive - danced with amazing energy.

Next it was time for the Latin dances

Tom and Camilla: Samba – it had plenty of energy, but it’s a difficult to dance to score well in, and the judges were quite critical. They got a score of 34.

Cherie and James: Rumba – one of my favourite dances from the early weeks of the last series, which, for a moment, almost made me like James Jordan. It was beautiful, but I do wish they’d stop going on about Cherie’s age! They got a well deserved 38

Kenny and Ola: Paso Doble, with Kenny in the kilt. Yes, they got slated, yes, it was barely a paso, but they had fun, ripping Ola’s dress in the process . Score: 23

Jodie and Ian: Jive – their last dance on the series, performed when Jodie had the flu, so I was interested to see a fully fit Jodie perform it. It was good, but she’s not a natural Latin dancer, and I was surprised to see it get the same as their AS, 31.

Rachel and Vincent: Rumba – the dance which was the turning point for Rachel. It was beautifully danced, and got the first 40 of the night.

Gethin and Flavia: Salsa – he was wearing the famous ‘I didn’t know this was see-though’ shirt that Tess Daly (and the rest of us) so loved, and it was pretty much the same routine, again with a slightly different beginning and ending. And he certainly didn’t lack any hip action! The only thing, for me, was that the first time they danced this, it was so much a part of that evening, I doubt if that energy and passion will ever be re-captured. Technically, I think it was danced better, but it lacked a bit of emotion, which again is probably a combination of me being a bit too familiar with the dance, and the change of partner. It still scored another 38 though, and I’m not going to complain about that.

Julian and Lilia: Samba, complete with diamante maracas! Pretty much a dancing disaster for Craig, who gave it a two. Len gave it ‘Seven’, which was his lowest score of the night. I think he’d lost all his lower paddles. Score: 22, the lowest of the evening.

Jill and Darren: Jive – we’ve seen it so often, but it’s still fabulous. For me, probably that, (and Gethin’s waltz), were the dances that I’d have got on my feet for. They got a deserved 40.

So, at the end of the competition, we had a tie at the top, between Rachel and Vincent, and Jill and Darren on 79, and Gethin and Flavia were third on 76.

While the voting continued, there was a show dance performed by Matthew Cutler and Kristina Rihanoff which was excellent, followed by a group dance to music from Moulin Rouge, complete with huge blue ostrich feather fans, glitter balls and chandeliers. Gethin and Flavia were dancing at my side of the floor, so no complaints there. Towards the end of the dance, the men leapt over the barrier into the audience, and the next thing I knew both Tom and Gethin were waving feather fans in my face!

Finally, it was time for the results, and Kate Thornton asked the judges who they’d like to see win. Bless Craig, for he said Gethin and Flavia. Arlene and Bruno went for Rachel and Vincent, and Len wasn’t allowed to say, as he would have the deciding vote if there was a tie.

In the event, that wasn’t needed, and they lined up to be eliminated couple by couple until only three were left, Jill and Darren, Rachel and Vincent, and Gethin and Flavia. Of course, I hoped, but really, I knew (and should probably have saved my money, but you don’t do you?). They were the next eliminated which once again brought it down to J&D and R&V, with R&V being announced the winners. Of course, it’s not really about the results on the tour (but I’d like my boy to have a win!), but about the spectacle, and enjoying the dance.

Everyone got to their feet and cheered as the couples (plus Bruno, who had to be restrained by Gethin and Kenny from removing his shirt) took their bows, and danced – and Gethin did a shimmy at our section of the audience.

I loved it! As for Mr Jones, well, I may not have spoken to him yet, but it’s the long game.

*As always, a bit of a rip off, with no new photos other than those taken as promo shots for the series, some of which are quite old by now, and one page biogs for each celebrity and dancer, and the judges.

** Given the result, maybe it's just me!
***Give me about 30 years

Goodnight, Sweet Prince

The story which began in September 2007, when I received my RSC mailshot with the news that David Tennant would be playing Hamlet at Stratford, is over*.

It turns out that we were to be at what passed for David’s press night. Having reviewed understudy Ed Bennett’s performance on the official press night, it seems that a number of the nationals went back on Wednesday to see what they had missed. The reviews had been in many cases more favourable than I felt the production deserved back in Stratford. This time, they had gone to see the Prince – and what a performance he gave them.

For me, this was the best performance by the whole ensemble. Perhaps their performances had strengthened in David’s absence, but it once again showed the value of the revitalised ensemble ethos in the RSC. My favourite ‘David’ performance will remain November in Stratford, but mainly because we were much closer on that occasion. Other cast members were the best I’d seen them, with Penny Downie and Oliver Ford Davies standing out. I also loved Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, who seemed bewildered by the machinations of the court and caught up in things they didn’t understand, which made their lack of an ending even sadder**. I thought Patrick Stewart was the best I’d seen him, but that he still lacked authority, and, from where we were sitting, he was almost inaudible at the start.

Originally directed for the thrust stage of the Courtyard Theatre, and now adapted to a proscenium arch theatre, and there were times when the staging was slightly at odds with the space it occupied. There was, however, more of a sense of spectacle about the big set pieces, the play within the play, the duel, and for the first time we could see the reflections in the mirrored doors at the back of the stage.

As for David as Hamlet, well, once again, he broke my heart. I do not understand how it is possible for someone to perform those speeches as though they are being said for the first time, but he did. He had always been brilliant at the start of the play, but now the performance was sustained. You would not have thought he’d recently had an operation, except that the duel was slightly less energetic than before.

This time, it was ‘Oh what a rogue and peasant slave’, and ‘How all occasions do inform against me’ which made me hold my breath, and, incredibly, his reading of ‘the readiness is all’. He’d found a way to do it, giving it a sense of acceptance and finality, which didn’t make me long for ‘let be’.

As a production, it still has its flaws. It remains clumsily cut; the curtailing of R&G’s story, and the loss of Fortinbras, being the worst excesses of this (seriously, if you don’t know, just who is this guy who comes in at the very end?), and it isn’t particularly innovative in its approach.

But on that night in London, I truly felt that the promise that was there in July was delivered. It will live in my memory for years to come, as many earlier productions still do, and every audience member will have their own, different, memories, and perhaps that is what theatre is all about. There is no ‘correct’ way of doing Hamlet, just, (to steal from Cleopatra), infinite varieties. And that’s as it should be.

For now, the rest is silence.

*At least, the Hamlet chapter is, unless we are lucky enough for them to make the DVD. The David story will continue.

**Yup, still bitter about the pirates!

Let’s just call it helping the economy!

For a woman whose income has reduced by half in the last month, I’ve been doing an awful lot of shopping. The trouble with the sales this year is that with 50%, or up to 70% off, some things become irresistible. In fact, unless something is less than half price, I don’t even look at it.

I made a start on New Year’s Eve, before a rotten cold floored me for a few days. ‘Party shoes’ – black, fabulous, and with heels so high, you can’t actually walk normally in them. They’re great shoes for standing around in, but not great for walking, and definitely won’t be good on York cobbles.

I didn’t actually buy anything in London, but made up for it in Birmingham on Friday and Saturday. More ‘party’ shoes, again black, with a killer heel, (is it possible to have too many pairs of party shoes? I doubt it.)

Today, I fell in love with more shoes – this time silver ones, in Office. While I was considering if I could justify another pair, when what I really needed was warm and sensible boots, I tried on a beautiful raspberry coloured dress.

Oh dear! I liked it, it was a ‘bargain’, I bought it. And I still have a further shopping trip to the Trafford Centre planned for Tuesday!

Third time lucky

We’d only booked our tickets for London after seeing that preview performance in Stratford, quite late into the priority booking period, which is why I could only get tickets for the last week of the run. Given the choice, I’d probably have gone for something in December. Little did I know then how lucky I was.

A couple of weeks ago, I thought I might have to title my review ‘Hamlet without the Prince’, after David went off with a back injury and had to have an operation. Over Christmas and New Year, I checked the website for the latest news. He was definitely out until 3 January, but if his doctors gave him the all clear, they were still hopeful that he may be able to return for some performances before the end of the run, but they could not guarantee anything. There were an awful lot of ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ in the statements issued, so all that we could do was wait and see. Despite comments from others that he might just gracefully bow out of the London run, I felt he would be back as soon as he was allowed to, as he would hate not having the chance to complete the London run, and also hate to let people down. Whatever the RSC may say about this being an ensemble, you have to acknowledge that an awful lot of the seats sold, and the crazy demand (and crazy prices) paid for tickets, were because of him, not because of the company.

Then, on Saturday, I checked his website, and blinked a little at what I read, as it said he was returning that evening! The news then was that they were assessing things day by day, and would update the RSC website each day with news, so the next key date was Monday, to make sure he hadn’t come back too soon and was still able to perform. When he did both Monday and Tuesday, I allowed myself to become cautiously optimistic that he’d also do the Wednesday.

About 5 minutes after I got on the train, I received a text from Corinne to confirm that he would be appearing.

Maybe there is a God after all!

Doctor Who?

(yes, I know it’s been used by others, but it’s an obvious one)

After much speculation, and even the suggestion that we could have a female Doctor this time, David Tennant’s replacement, and the Eleventh Doctor, was announced on Saturday evening as Matt Smith. It’s a measure of just how popular this programme is that it was announced on Saturday evening primetime, and even shown on the big BBC screens across the country.

I have to admit my initial reaction when his face flashed up on screen was ‘oh’, and ‘who?’ I had to be reminded that I’d seen him in Ruby in the Smoke (so hadn’t found him memorable). I hadn’t watched Party Animals, probably because politics is, for me, pretty much a turn off. I was surprised that they’ve cast someone so young, but also pleased that it’s not one of the more obvious names who have been mentioned, so hopefully they’ve gone for acting ability. The fact that he was once a History Boy gives me hope, as he’s got a theatre pedigree, and that’s always good in my book.

So, despite my comments, my reaction isn’t currently similar to the one I had to both Billie Piper and Catherine Tate – both of whom proved me wrong in no uncertain terms. I think he has potential. Not as much, admittedly, as David did, but I can see a quirky-ness in him that is appealing. He also has very defined cheekbones, always good in my book (yes, I know, that’s nothing to do with his acting, but I’m shallow)

Until he makes his debut, we still have more of David to come. I have to admit to being slightly disappointed in The Next Doctor. I loved it at first, when the Doctor was trying to discover why the other ‘Doctor’ couldn’t remember him, but felt it tailed off in the second half, and honestly found the Cyberking striding above London a bit daft. But then, at the end, it was all pulled back, with a look, a few words, and a broken heart, and once again there were tears on Christmas Day.