United Kingdom Legends of the Dance Floor: Cliffs Pavilion, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, 22.10.2024. (JPr)
Starring: Brendan Cole, James Jordan, Pasha Kovalev, Vincent Simone, Ian Waite
Ensemble: Victoria Martin (Dance Captain), Alexandra Busheva, Julia Ruis Fernández, Lowri Beth, Polina Mayer
Creatives include:
Director & Choreographer – Scott Coldwell
Assistant Choreographer – James Cutler
Music director – Matt Howes
Set & Lighting design – Dougie FF Cairns
Sound design – Jon Roache
Costume stylist – Carol Howard
Graphic design – Mark Sydor
The glossy souvenir programme for Legends of the Dance Floor reminded us how Brendan Cole, James Jordan, Pasha Kovalev, Vincent Simone, and Ian Waite truly are legends of Strictly Come Dancing; though it is already six years since Pasha was the last of the five to leave the iconic 20-year-old BBC TV programme. In the interview pages Ian addressed the current controversies blighting the show when the new series began this year: ‘There’s so much good about the show that it seems a shame when these isolated incidents are put under the microscope. There are wars going on for heaven’s sake. Should behind-the-scenes on a dance show really be on the front pages? Dance should be about positivity, as I hope the Legends tour will demonstrate.’ I include this because I agree with every word, like I also agreed with Brendan in the same article when he said about their new show, ‘I don’t think people are coming to see just the dancing; they’ll also want the camaraderie, the banter, the chat.’
The five still-incredible dancers took their responsibility to their audience very seriously and danced with incredible energy to show all the classy moves which elevated them to that ‘Legends’ status. The evident joy of the quintet and their superbly talented female dancers to being onstage was clear for all to see. There also were real laugh-out-loud moments because of all the inevitable jokey asides – whether scripted or non-scripted – with much self-deprecation, teasing, innuendo, as well as all their individual antics.
Probably missed by many was when James attempted to block Brendan from getting back onstage through the ’E’ (acting as a door) of the huge LEGENDS sign whose individual letters dominated a simple set. That includes two sets of steps down on either side of the stage from a walkway – with some red drapes behind it – at the top. The big LEGENDS had bulbs which could change colour and together with some impressive lighting gave a little atmosphere to some dazzling choreography from Scott Coldwell, James Cutler and the Legends themselves. However, despite that, the backdrop to the dancing varied very little and so perhaps next year a larger LED screen with changing images might be thought about. Indeed, a small screen above LEGENDS was used to introduce the different dance sequences in the show quite effectively. I must admit I also would have preferred some live singing rather than all the backing tracks we heard.
As soon as everyone came onstage the sold-out Cliffs Pavilion knew it was in for an amazing night. There have been some wonderful Strictly Come Dancing-related shows there in recent years, but Legends is right up there as one of the best. I have watched Strictly for all of its 20 years and seeing Brendan (acting as the show’s compere), Ian, James, Pasha and Vincent back together was like watching a reunion of old friends having a pint in a pub and a good laugh about their earlier times together. This included their friendship, dancing partners, those they met along the way, their competitive spirit, their finals, sackings (or repositionings!) or the current need for chaperones on Strictly.
But more exciting than anything was the quality of all the dancing; was it just me or – even at ages ranging from 44 to 53 – weren’t the Legends still better than many of the current male professionals on Strictly? There was a good mix of dancing in pairs and ensemble numbers including a Strictly-style Western-themed group one to begin the second half. The energy of all-concerned never dimmed from when they came on at the start to ‘Comin’ Home Baby’, through to the exuberant extended finale that had the audience on their feet clapping and dancing along right through to the stamina-sapping ‘Proud Mary’ ending.
There were so many highlights including Ian Waite’s opening elegant Viennese Waltz, James Jordan’s sultry rumba and later mesmerising jive, and Vincent Simone’s West End-worthy ‘Cell Block Tango’ (from Chicago). Brendan brought a great depth of feeling to his contemporary number to ‘I’ll Never Love Again’ (from the 2018 film ‘A Star is Born’) and Pasha was ‘The Greatest Showman’ when dancing to ‘Come Alive’ from the 2017 film. Best of all was the deeply moving tribute from all the Legends to those lost along the way – Bruce Forsyth, Caroline Flack, Len Goodman and, most recently, Robin Windsor – danced to ‘Mr Bojangles’, that haunting reminder of the passing of time.
It was great how much credit was given by the Legends to those they were dancing with: Brendan with Alexandra Busheva, Ian with Lowri Beth, James with Polina Mayer, Pasha with Julia Ruis Fernández, and Vincent with Victoria Martin. As Ian said, ‘We don’t call them our dance partners anymore, we call them our carers!’
What a very special show, and something that I would look forward to seeing again in 2025.
Jim Pritchard
Featured Image: the company of Legends of the Dance Floor © Terry Blackburn
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