I watched it again and I can see that the steps and timing are good. I agree that the lifts were laboured - the big one in particular.

I wonder if it was simply that the 'story' didn't fit the music. What was the story? Man goes to a speakeasy, dances a few Charleston steps, sees woman on stage dancing Charleston steps, dances Charleston with her. The music is very dramatic in the 'bang' sections, even if you can't hear the words it doesn't really fit with the 'zany' Charleston persona.

She did dance it really well, I just didn't enjoy it!

It wasn't nearly as good as Sophie's and was unfairly over marked.

I didn't grab me and I love a good Charleston but it wasn't a disaster.

I think Craig summed it up well on ITT, all the right steps were well executed but no character.

I said this on another thread but I thought the choreography for Natalie & Artem's Charleston was great and Natalie's performance was very Josephine Baker but I hated the song so much (I hated it on DWTS, too) that I couldn't get past that to enjoy the routine. I didn't really think the choreography worked with the song either. With different music I think I would have enjoyed this routine much more. (Perhaps "Fat Sam's Speakeasy" from "Bugsy Malone might have worked better, as it would have suited both the choreography and the story in the routine.)

It's funny that's what you heard, because Craig's words were "Any dance, you have to bring a certain character to it. I feel that she was a little bit too clean on her feet and I know that sounds odd, but I felt it was just too precise, too clean and it wasn't quirky enough."

I interpret what Craig said like this -

It was placed, it was clean, but it didn't have ABANDONMENT - or enough energy and verve.

I felt that myself, very very good, but lacked that loose, playful energy that an old style Charleston should have.

I put it down to her injuries, and Artem's complicated, placed choreo, and her perfectionism.

It wasn't her best dance, it was disappointing, but that's the reason for me.

I just don't think Nat had the energy to bring the dance to life.

I know she says she's fine now but she didn't look fine to me. She looked weary, lacking stamina. Not just normal tired, but exhausted. She's such a battler, and I admire that, but I'm slightly concerned about her well-being at the moment..

i thought the same and because of the previous week didn't want her in middle to face dance off

She also wasn't in any of the after show stuff saying goodbye to Fiona. I think she's been ordered to do the bare minimum and then rest.

I commented on the training thread a few days before the live show that Natalie wasn't on top form and that even Ian Waite had found fault with some of her moves, but this was brushed aside

tbh, I think her performance on Saturday looked worse than when in training and I'm still wondering whether she'll pull out soon

Why are there so many saying she looked exhausted and suspecting she's pulling out soon?

I thought she was mighty fine on Saturday!

I agree she looked perfectly fine to me and there is no way she will pull out

She also looked mighty fine to me too and I hope she does not pull out, I would be very surprised if she did.

Why Sid I do believe I've been missing you. xxx

This season we've had 3 Charlestons worthy of comment - Sophie, Abbey and Natalie.

I rewatched Sophie and whilst I found it fun and loved her cool approach I did detect mistakes and some cumbersome lifts - in short I think her score was about right.

Abbey - I loved it from beginning to end.

Natalie the lifts were at times cumbersome but as someone else pointed it was more intricate and included much more content and difficulty as well as more authentic Charleston so I think overall it was probably a three way tie.

Ian himself brushed over commenting on Natalie muttering about not wanting to give the game away on the choreography.

All I would add is, less training time clearly shows the difference between good and great. So perhaps not such a ringer after all, just someone who needs to put in the time.