Darn, you got in before me and said it better than I could. If Strictly fans ever get united on anything, I'll know the apocalypse is on its way

Ain't that the truth

I guess that's the truth of the matter.

For me, whatever was going on in the arena it lost a huge wodge of 'something' in the broadcasting.

Glad you had a good time, tallulahula (not envious at all, no, no). Actually, it was clear from the TV that the audience was having a ball and that the production really involved you all. I've been to the Strictly tour and it was very reminiscent of that (even down to the raised platform in the middle of the floor, which featured in this year's tour).

My main problem with the Wembley show was that it tried to be both a big spectacle and a competition. The couples had to be both big and extravagant to please the crowd and do justice to the space, while getting the technique of the dance right to please the judges and the audience at home, who saw the thing through TV cameras in more detail.

So, in the main, they chose 'big and spectacular', to the detriment of the dances themselves. Now that's fine for the tour, where the 'competition' element is not important, and it's fine for an arena audience, but I'd argue that it's not fine for a show that is supposed to be about celebrities learning to dance, and which should show them improving each week, not going backwards to accommodate the entertainment factor necessary to do justice to Wem-ber-ley*.




*with apologies for the long sentence.

I imagine the BBC expected to get praise from the moment the titles rolled at Wembley but, from reading on various forums, it does seem that TV viewers were less than impressed - the general view being that the arena was far too big, the sound poor and the couples looked lost. The staging at Wembley brought NOTHING to the format - for the TV audience - and left most wondering why they had bothered?

(and heaven knows what the staging COST).

I would hope that Wembley does not become a fixture - despite the no doubt hysterical cheer leading we will have to endure on It Takes Two - and that the only other venue for SCD is Blackpool.

I thought the David Arch band were worse than normal, and that's saying something!

They absolutely murdered Relax and Valerie

I thought it was hideous. I nearly switched it off.

And that raised dance stage didn't work either - it broke the flow. Wembley only works when people can put on a show. This lot couldn't!

Fortunately, the pros will show how it should be done tonight.

Watch and learn, celebs - so that you raise your game for Blackpool.

On the upside, they made Robbie and Ola's number better than the original

**flees**

The whole show was just like they do it on the tours. The central stage was something that was added to the tour last year - probably by Craig who choreographed it. I preferred it without the stage, but it's all about the spectacle I suppose.

I loved the Wembley show and wish I could have been there!

Could the production have been better? Probably, but that didn't bother me. Maybe the fact that I don't have a fancy TV made a difference!


Yep!

I was there too & agree with Talulahula. It was bloomin marvellous - such an amazing atmosphere.

I do agree a bit with the poster who said that some technique was lost in trying to dance 'big' enough for the arena (Harry's backstep for example), but the show was incredible - the production team deserve real praise for the way they pulled it off & they clearly worked really really hard.

Of course, I wasn't watching it at home and had the added bonus of sitting in seats right by the stage and close to Ian Waite, Matt Baker and all the friends and family so if I was ever bored with the show I could always have indulged in a spot of celeb eavesdropping

I think the BBC played to the arena audience and NOT the tv audience that finance the whole thing!! i have just rewatched the show and it was in fact dire, there was no stand out performances because the venue was inappropriate!!!

Bloody Hell! That assessment is so mean. Of course they are amateurs. isn't that the whole premise of SCD, amateurs dancing with professionals. Very harsh imo

I don't think I enjoyed a minute of it. The sound quality was just awful - the picture quality wasn't great either in HD. I wouldn't watch another show if it came from Wembley or any other large arena. I really hated the way they ran to get to the Tess Pit - kept thinking - what if they fall?

I'm generally not too critical of Dave Arch and his band, but even I thought "Valerie" was slaughtered yesterday.

EEK!! i am still rewatching, never heard the band sound SO BAD!!!!!

Agree!!! I enjoyed Wembley as well yesterday!

Although, to be fair, the arena audience deserved their spectacle since they paid for their tickets (unlike the normal studio audience), and the money from those tickets went to CIN. I certainly got the impression from the TV that the audience enjoyed every moment, so thanks to those who went for confirming that you had a brilliant time.

Mmmm. But it's not suitable for TV !! It made me dizzy, all that dashing about and running up steps.

i am also pleased for THEM that they enjoyed their experience, as i also posted (somewhere) maybe it would be a bit more fair if the BBC took the show to different capital cities throughout the UK so others could have the same chance of experiencing the show, we do all finance the BBC, not just Londoners.

It was clearly a cracking show for those at the event.

But as an OB it wasn't technically good at all.

I loved it!

I loved it!
If they are likely to do the same next year, for Children in Need, I wouldn't mind getting tickets.
It looked as though everyone was enjoying themselves.
Yes of course the dances didn't seem quite so "intimate" as in the studio but you have to make allowances for that.
It was fun.

As a means of raising money for Children in Need it was an excellent idea. For those attending at Wembley it was clearly a stunning show.

BUT for the millions of armchair viewers the new setting added NOTHING to the existing format and for many detracted from a much loved show. Maybe a demonstration dance evening could be hosted at Wembley for CinN (and for a dvd release) but the televised Saturday night competition moved to Blackpool next year, when CinN needs the studio?