They couldn’t have timed it better. As Strictly Come Dancing is back on our screens this week, Keep Dancing hits Milton Keynes Theatre and takes us on a journey of dance. If you like Strictly you will love this. It has all the sparkle, glamour and grace that you have grown to expect.
The show opens with You Should Be Dancing which is just spectacular! Yes, we should be dancing but it is rather hard to do in your seat so just sit back and enjoy the professionals.
Robin Windsor is a big name from Strictly and he does not disappoint. He moves so well and every part of his body works with the music to whatever piece of music he is dancing to. And I mean every piece. Every hand movement finished to perfection. Every bicep. And yes he does wear an almost see-through shirt. He is extremely sexy and perhaps this show should carry a warning as many men and women could get a bit hot under the collar.
Robin’s partner in crime is Anya Garnis, another Strictly professional who partners Robin for many of the numbers. They are fantastic together and she is at ease with ballroom as she is with the tango; a very sexy number that cannot fail to impress.
The other famous duo are the winners of Strictly 2015, Jay and Aliona who left audiences amazed at their Pulp Fiction dance last year. Alas they don’t perform that dance in this show, which is a bit of a disappointment, but it is great to be this close and see them dance live. There are moments when you forget that Jay is not a professional dancer as he can move very well to some very fast numbers. As for Aliona, she is just perfect. Every step, every finish is complete. Forget a 7; they get a 10 from me!
The ‘ballroom’ section was very emotional. It was just like watching an MGM film. With numbers such as There’s No Business Like Show Business and New York New York you really felt transported back to those golden days. The elegance and grace as they moved around the stage was breath-taking.
There was a jive section where we travelled back in time to the 1940’s. This had some humour in it as Robin tried to dance with each female dancer in turn and even sneaked a kiss from one or two. It really told a story through dance. The Charleston captured the feel of the 1920’s and gave some elegance and drama to the show. With wonderful outfits to match once again you were transported back in time.
The singers often came to sing a song while the dancers were getting changed. Stormy Weather and Why Don’t You Do Right? were outstanding. It was disappointing that there were no dancers on the stage during this time; just one or two would have been enough to compliment the singing. After all the show is called Keep Dancing. A mention is well deserved for the musicians who were fantastic offering us Spanish guitar and amazing percussion.
There was a range of dance styles including a contemporary number from Robin with some other male dancers. It was captivating to watch and you could be forgiven for holding your breath.
The finale included a disco medley which got the audience dancing and on its feet. Who doesn’t love a bit of disco? It included Play That Funky Music, Boogie Wonderland, Boogie Nights and Le Freak. And to finish there was a Gloria Estefan Medley which was very Salsa friendly. The outfits were very bright and vibrant but did look a bit like a car wash when they spun around.
This is an energetic and lively show with some amazing dance routines. There is not a story or flow to the show but instead offers a variety of different dancing styles and a fantastic array of costumes. If you love sparkly, glamour, elegance and everything that is Strictly, then you will love Keep Dancing. Its FAB-U-LOUS darling!!
Keep Dancing is at Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday 10 September 2016.
4 stars.
