Strictly on stage

Posted on December 19, 2012

New year brings ballroom to the stage. As Strictly Come Dancing finishes its run on television, its professional dancers switch to the theatre.

In Anton and Erin Go to Hollywood, Anton Du Beke and Erin Boag pay tribute to the golden years of the film musical. The stars will be joined by singer Lance Ellington, guest dancers and a 25-piece orchestra conducted by Richard Balcombe. Songs will include “Strike Up the Band”, “Everything’s Coming Up Roses”, “Ah Yes, I Remember It Well”, “Steppin’ Out With My Baby” and “That’s Entertainment”. The tour opens on January 17 at Northampton’s Royal & Derngate Theatre, and runs until March 17. See www.raymondgubbay.co.uk for details. 

Brendan Cole, their fellow Strictly pro (pictured), launches his Licence to Thrill tour on January 20 at the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury, running until March 3. It’s a tribute to the style of James Bond, with music from across the decades from Nat King Cole to Kylie Minogue and Michael Bublé. Cole is joined by 14 musicians, directed by Barry Robinson, and five other dancers, including his brother Scott Cole. See www.brendancole.com for details. 

The Strictly Come Dancing live tour starts on January 18 at Birmingham’s National Indoor Arena. As on the television show, the audience has the chance to vote for their favourite couple. This year’s line-up will include Louis Smith dancing with Ola Jordan, Lisa Riley with Robin Windsor, Natalie Lowe with Michael Vaughan, Denise Van Outen with James Jordan, Pasha Kovalev with Dani Harmer, Karen Hauer with Phil Tufnell and Artem Chigvintsev with Fern Britton. See www.strictlycomedancinglive.com for details.

Nicola Rayner

Nicola Rayner was editor of Dance Today from 2010 to 2015. She has written for a number of publications including The Guardian, The Independent and Time Out Buenos Aires, where she cut her teeth as a dance journalist working on the tango section. Today she continues to dance everything from ballroom to breakdance, with varying degrees of success. Her debut novel, The Girl Before You, was published last year in paperback, ebook and audiobook.