Strictly, The Professionals: few surprises – but this tour thrills with the show’s uniting magic

It used to be strictly seasonal, but these days the BBC’s ballroom juggernaut supplies year-round entertainment thanks to all the stage shows filling the spring and summer months. We’ve already had the celebrity live tour, and now 12 of Strictly’s hard-working professionals are rewarded with a fab-u-lous showcase of their considerable skills, unencumbered by clod-hopping amateurs and snarky judges.

This generally slick affair is crafted by Jason Gilkison, the series’ creative director, and features a mix of new routines and reprised favourites. It’s light on traditional ballroom, and there’s a tendency to muddy the distinct dance styles with contemporary or pop styling – a perennial problem on Strictly too. But there’s no denying the sheer talent and charisma of this dazzling dozen.

In particular, the women can really let loose when partnered by fellow pros instead of nervous newcomers. They move with thrilling power and abandon. The men are shameless show-offs: Graziano Di Prima whips his hair around like he’s trying to dislodge a small animal. Nikita Kuzmin and Gorka Marquez display their rippling, spray-tanned abs in a “Ken off” jive contest, in an amusing Barbie skit, but the self-deprecating “Ginger” Neil Jones, playing dorky Alan, snatches a surprise win – likely the closest that this perennial bench-warmer will come to a Strictly trophy.

Reigning champion Vito Coppola brilliantly partners the pocket rocket Jowita Przystal. Their lifts are the most daring (it helps that Przystal has no fear and a core of steel), but they have a palpable emotional connection too. Coppola is also wonderfully expressive in his same-sex duet with Kuzmin, which was a landmark moment for the series in 2023, and he gamely sends himself up in a witty number about Strictly’s passionate Italian contingent.

But there are spotlight moments for everyone in this dynamically varied production, including the self-assured newcomer Michelle Tsiakkas. Carlos Gu and Przystal connect beautifully in their rumba, as do Luba Mushtuk and Di Prima – the latter danced to an expressive cover of Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill. The sensational Mushtuk is a class act throughout; it’s frustrating that the series hasn’t fully utilised her gifts.

Marquez is once again topless in an explosive flamenco, while Nancy Xu is initially the slinky standout in the Fosse medley, but Karen Hauer brings incredible heart and full-body commitment to its Sweet Charity climax. Dianne Buswell is the best actress through dance, exquisitely tender in her Hollywood romance.

No Strictly secrets are spilled, alas. The scripted banter between numbers is banal (big takeaway: Xu hates pink, but loves Christmas) – although there’s arguably an old-school Brucie cheesy charm to it. Hauer makes a brief, but sincere, tribute to the late pro Robin Windsor, who died in February.

The generic video projections don’t add much, but the twinkly mirror balls, excellent live band and singers (Tara McDonald and Patrick Smyth), and gloriously glittery costumes (the gold jumpsuits in the energetic Tina Turner medley are a particular treat) all contribute to an evening of glamorous entertainment.

Best of all, a huge audience of all ages is joyfully unified: that’s the real Strictly magic.

Tour continues until Jun 1. Tickets: strictlytheprofessionals.com

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