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From The Times
January 19, 2008

Strictly Come Dancing: The Live Tour!

Tim Teeman at the SECC, Glasgow

Into the windy night Middle Scotland swept, adrift on a sea of glitter. To make a stage show that is essentially a blatant rip-off of the hit BBC show Strictly Come Dancing takes a special kind of cheek. To ask the audience to text their choice of winner, even with a percentage of call charges going to Children In Need, is even cheekier. But did Glasgow care? Hell, no.

They wanted to see Louisa Lytton, in tiny sherbet-green shimmering dress, shake her hips as if she was about to take off. They wanted to see the hopeless Christopher Parker run, not dance, around the floor — the British find this lack of skill and prowess endearing. The scoring system is a mystery and why the audience is given scorecards baffling.

But who cares? All they want to see is the judges get really mean. There is no Bruno Tonioli. He is apparently in Los Angeles. But we’ve got Craig Revel Horwood and the ever-hormonal Arlene Phillips. Len Goodman is the crowd favourite, but distinguishes himself on this first night with a battalion of “bloodys” and unpleasant insults: Arlene is a “cow” and he also wanted to defecate on Craig’s head.

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Of course, this is pantomime on television and it is pantomime on an even grander scale on stage. Brucie and Tess are absent. Presenting duties are carried out by Kate Thornton who, despite the bile she habitually attracts, is warm, amiable and funny. The competitors come from all series of SCD. The dance floor is huge, and a vast glitter ball sends up bubbles of light. The lady behind me said: “It was just like being on television.”

The crowd clapped rapturously throughout, although the competitors didn’t really deserve it. They range from the proficient and boring (Denise Lewis, the runner; Martin Offiah, the ex-rugby player), who get polite hand claps, to the terrible class clown (Christopher Parker), whom Craig dismissed as “awful” and “dreadful”. Why humiliate yourself, either by being dull or inept for a month-long national tour? Readies, one supposes.

The crowd loved Letitia Dean, who attacked each flick and kick with lip-smacking enthusiasm, and Zoe Ball, whose foot snagged in her frock.

This first evening really belonged to Matt Di Angelo and Flavia Cacace, the eventual winners. Are they together? The audience audibly gossiped as they took to the floor. What was the deal with Vincent Simone, Flavia’s professional dance partner and supposedly ex-partner, who is also in the show? All this bubbled away in the audience’s mind and added to the confected intrigue on stage. At the end, Di Angelo lifted the glitter ball trophy and tried to raise Flavia at the same time but wasn’t strong enough. Somehow that hint of “not-quite-good-enough”, which made him lose to Alesha Dixon in this year’s final, also encapsulates the vainglorious, shimmering amateurism which makes Strictly succeed on stage, as well as in prime time. Fun? Rubbish? Pantomime? A blatant attempt to extend the franchise? Yes, and we love it that way.

For tickets and tour details, strictlycomedancinglive.com

The nearest venue for me was the Birmingham NEC Arena. I was not disappointed by the show, I liked that it had the same format as the television show. I will say I missed Bruno's presence as he always makes me laugh with his over the top commentary. Kate Thornton was perfect as the host and did a brilliant job. The Judges too, were on fine form, particularly Craig who made the crowd laugh with the severe look on his face after Chris Parker's Paso Doble. I loved all the dancing couples but my favourite was Letitia Dean and Darren Bennett. I loved her foxtrot and was so impressed with the energy she put into the Jive and thought she should have won the show but it was not to be and Zoe/Ian lifted up the silver disco ball. I can't complain about anything, my seat was in the best place, near the stage, the show was entertaining and it was interesting to see the show in a different format as it lived up to the television show.

Kelly Walsh, Exmouth, Devon

I went to the 02 Arena in London. thought the warm up man was rubbish and wondered how staged it all was?? would like to know who has won at other shows, judges did say that martin and Chris had constantly been in bottom 2, quite rightly!!. Predictably Matt and Flavia won being in london, I thought Ian and Zoe were amazing and must admit to having the hots for Matthew Cutler and think if Alesha had been with him rather than Denise he would have won. Kate Thornton was good but Len was just fabulous!!!!!!. Craig Revel Horwood was the pantomime villian but he was right, Chris Parker was abysmal and we thought for one awful moment he might win. Loved it but next year will pay that bit more for better seats.!!

Catherine, epsom, surrey

Fantastic fantastic fantastic! Loved everything about it. The judges, specially Len, were brilliant. The good dancing was wonderful and the bad - most noteably Chris Parker - very entertaining! The professional dancers were excellent to watch and my only regret was that I would have liked to see more of them dancing together. Vincent and Flavia's Argentine Tango gave me goose bumps and for me was the evening's high-light. James and Ola Jordan put in an excellent performance also. I saw the show on the last evening in Manchester towards the end of the tour, and although these guys must have done the show loads I felt as though it was there only time they had performed it. I dragged a very reluctent husband with me who came out loving it. I really really hope they do it again! Highly recommended.

Linda McPeake, Liverpool, England

Went to the show at Wembley on 27 Jan, a Xmas present from my daughter. Absolutely loved the show, the dancing was amazing but I quite agree with the previous comment, the warm up guy was awful and to text your vote was OTT. The highlight to us was Flavia & Vincent's solo dance, awesome.
BRILLIANT NIGHT WORTH EVERY PENNY.

susie sue, caterham, surrey

Took my two daughters and niece to see it at Wembley on Sunday, Wonderful show, very well presented, worth the money it cost, Matt and Flavia won that show much to my daughters pleasure, highlight of the evening my daughter having a photo taken with Gethin Jones who was watching in the audience that evening, BRILLIANT.

Karen, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire,

Saw the performance at Nottingham Arena last night, Thursday 31st Jan. Absolutely spot on, my husband bought the tickets for himself, me and our daughter who is at Nottingham Uni and also an avid fan. Brilliant night even though Len's corny remarks and Craig's criticisms along with Arlene's comments were all too familiar it was a magnificent show. Well done to them all!

Liz Storey , Holbeach, UK

Loved the show - hated the warm up guy - I was a very grumpy non player in that. Unfortunately the lights were blinding when they reflected off the too shiny floor. Thought it was a rip off asking the audience to text to vote when many of them (not me!!) had been fleeced when buying the £10 programme with scorecards - what were they for?? Apart from all that I had a great time.

Sharon Jacobsen, Edinburgh, UK

I went to Wembly on Saturday and the show was fantastic. I just loved it. Darren Gough won but they were all brilliant. Can't wait for next year.

Debbie, Billericay, Essex

I"m an avid SCD fan so my husband bought me tickets for the sunday afternoon show and right from the moment the signature tune played a tingle ran down my spine.Me and my daughter, who accompanied me,were not disappointed. Zoe ball was a deserved winner.Excellent afternoon.

aileen blaylock, dumfries, scotland

Matt and Flavia won Sunday nights live show in Glasgow. What a fantastic evening, can't wait for next years live show! Full of glitter, glamour, fun and excitement. I loved it!

G, Scotland,

The show was great - pure entertainment from start to finish. Pity that Mat keeps winning when Zoe was the spectacular performer on Sunday evening. Also I' m sure Denise Lewis would be justifiably upset at being called a runner by the Times reporter, Tim Teeman, when in fact she worked bloody hard at 6 other events to be Olympian Gold medalist in the heptathalon!

D Lochhead, Angus

D Lochhead, Kirriemuir,

Saturday afternoon was just great - fantastic entertainment! Louisa won that one but anyone know won the evening show?

JB , Aberdeenshire,

The show was brilliant, loved Matt & Flavia and Louisa & vincent but the highlight for me was Flavia and Vincents Argentine Tango. I would have paid the money over again just to watch that ,FAB-U-LOUS!!!

T Rodger, Isle Of Man,

The opening night of the tour in Glasgow was glittering, glamourous, exciting & funny...just like the TV show and more...what a night: it was FAB-U-LOUS!

Linda, Fairlie, Scotland

Delighted Matt and Flavia won They look great together

Anne, Dublin, Ireland

Sounds Brilliant. Pleased that Matt and Flavia won the first ever Live Show and the whole thing sounds like great fun.

Ally, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

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