Well this will be quite a boring review compared to some of the others.
I didn't get to sleep in George Clooney's bed - we stayed in a friend's spare bed
No handsome Scotman invited us to share his taxi - travelled by bus.
And it was really, really cold.
Not glamorous at all - but still we saw an excellent show
Went with a couple of friends to the midweek performance on KD. We had very good seats - very near the front but just a couple of rows back so we could see everything (just) and only a bit off centre (due to the aisle).
We were impressed with the theatre - it looks to be a very Art Deco Cinema even now - and it was huge. The bar in comparison was small with not many seats but we managed to sit down for a quick drink. Kept an eye open to see if I could spot anyone but unfortunately not.
As our seats were so very near the front we weren't too worried about the view - and it was warm. Was a bit too much on view to film anything and I'm not as brave as
jayfan ETA and
matrishka
We sat amongst a mixture of Robin fans and J and A fans. The J and A fans read this thread, but didn't post for different reasons - one still couldn't get on the thread.
The theatre was by no means full - it would be surprising if it was mid week - but there were plenty of enthusiastic people there.
Was really impressed with the dancing - the young dancers were really very good and looked as if they were loving every minute. I think the Strictly judges would have said they had a 'party atmosphere'. It came across very well.
The singers were superb - as many people have said. I thought they complemented the dancing and provided 'light and shade'.
The young man could dance too - could spot and spin. It occurred to me that if J's career had taken a slightly different course and he hadn't been chosen for TW it could have been him in this role? Maybe not - J probably would have been starring in something anyway.
The hand jive was fast and funny - they kept in the 'mistake' which made the audience laugh as most didn't know about it.
Robin was brilliant and the show reflected his different skills. He came across as very relaxed and a superb dancer - much more varied than he was allowed to be on Strictly. I've always liked Anya and she was equally brilliant. My highlight was 'A Thousand Years'.
Think some sort of 'narrative' to link the parts would be an improvement - like Vincent and Flavia's shows - but that would be my only point. I loved it.
Jay and Aliona were cheered and were obviously the highlight for many - and for me
. I was very happy to see them dance so didn't mind the changes - except I would have liked to have seen the Paso, my favourite
. J 's clothes fitted him - for a change - and Aliona looked amazing - blooming.
The VW was beautiful - they dance together so well. I'd seen them fairly close to on the Strictly Tour, but not this close. My jaw literally dropped as I was stunned by Jay's grace as he moved across the stage - his hands, arms and legs
. 'Graceful and masculine' - someone's phrase from way back - sorry can't remember who
. Aliona is always graceful - 'pours across the floor' as J put it. The dance fitted onto the space on the stage OK - the stage didn't seem to have much of a rake, if any.
Then there was the Q&A. We found this very funny - but after reading the other reviews was a bit disappointed to see each one was more or less the same. J sang a bar or two of the Proclaimers - suppose they'd have to get permission to sing even that bit? They mentioned A was pregnant in a slightly jokey fashion, so I suppose it's possible some people wouldn't twig. There were calls out for 'The Jive' from around us and J smiled at the audience - I didn't call out 'The Paso' as my friends would have thought I was potty. There was a great rapport with the audience and everyone seemed happy.
I'd seen the Rumba on the Strictly Tour, but was perfectly happy to see it again 'close up'. I loved, loved it to 'Run' - one of my favourites. It seemed a little different - the 'lean back' was missing as has been mentioned, but that's very understandable. Again it was so graceful. My jaw dropped again as J did - is it called the 'bust out'?? - and stopped virtually above my head looking intently across the audience. His grace and balance were incredible - he didn't move a muscle for a second or two and his hands ....
The ending was fun with Anya and Aliona turning J between them. J and A got a huge cheer.
It felt sad that J and A would only dance together for a few times more. The last show must have been very emotional all round.
Both were heading off into different futures - but exactly the futures they wanted.
My couple of friends enjoyed the whole show and thought it was worth a cold bus ride - as we headed to the road for another cold bus ride home.
Many thanks to all posters for the reviews, comments, pics, clips, poems, descriptions, explanations, on topic and OT.
*waves* to all returners - lovely to see you back
Best wishes to all poorly ones - hope you feel better soon
Glad the meet ups were so successful and best wishes for future meet ups to see Big.
Thanks to J and A for fascinating me with their beautiful dancing for more than a year now. It's been so interesting and this thread has been such a lot of fun.
I still read everything and will post now and again but it's moving away from the dancing so there's really less I can contribute - but I'm not dropping out.
Just a reminder that the links to all the
J and A Strictly dance homeworks which include virtually everything including interviews up until mid summer are back on
page 100 of Part 6.
