Somnium: A Dancer’s Dream, Sadler’s Wells, review: Neil and Katya’s sweet Strictly love story – but with no kissing in sight
Keeping up with the Joneses must be exhausting, at least on the evidence of Neil and Katya Jones’s Somnium: A Dancer’s Dream. This show from the married Strictly Come Dancing professionals was a frenetic fusion of choreographic styles, musical medleys and continuous costume changes. I longed for Craig Revel Horwood to interject with a barbed critique, if only to give them a breather.
The pair caused a kerfuffle last year when Katya was pictured in a drunken clinch with her Strictly partner, comedian Seann Walsh. Tongues wagged, as did moralising fingers. Apologies and awkwardness followed. For this autumn’s series, Neil has reportedly been promoted to having a celebrity partner for the first time, while Katya has been demoted to the ensemble. That’s what happens if you rile the BBC powers-that-be by sullying their ratings hit with a tawdry scandal.
Before they found fame on Strictly, though – and long before tabloid notoriety – the couple were world Latin champions. Written, directed and choreographed by “Ginger Neil”, as he’s affectionately known, this production told the story of a British boy and Russian girl who dreamed of dance stardom, met as teenagers in Blackpool (who needs Paris?), fell in love and overcame the odds to win titles. I wonder where Jones got that idea.
Despite being saddled with a name like a brand of indigestion tablet, Somnium was shamelessly sweet and irresistibly charming. The choreography leant strongly towards Latin rather than ballroom, merrily mashed up with jazz, street, contemporary and commercial.
At times they channelled Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, at others Beyoncé and the Fresh Prince. Magic Mike, Mamma Mia and Ru Paul’s Drag Race were all referenced. Gasp-inducing gimmicks included an ultraviolet neon number and the speeded-up rewinding of an entire routine.
The storytelling wasn’t what you’d call subtle. No lyric was too literal, no song choice too cheesy. For the marriage sequence, which saw Katya wear her actual wedding dress, confetti fell as they swayed to Me and Mrs Jones.
Casualty actor (and Strictly quarter-finalist) Charles Venn narrated proceedings, playing the couple’s coach and mentor Richard Porter. He added caustic wit and an arched eyebrow, even busting out the odd dance move himself. Among the impressive supporting company, Costa Rican break-dancer Chris Arias stood out, prompting whoops with his headspins and backflips.
Strictly devotees might have felt short-changed when the story ended before the pair joined the BBC show. There was certainly no sign of that controversial snog.
Instead the routines wove in some of Katya’s signature Strictly moves, with nods to her Gangnam Style salsa with Ed Balls and slo-mo Matrix paso doble with Walsh, alongside recent playground crazes (the floss and Fortnite “hype dance”). A jumping group jive ensured a rousing crescendo.
Don’t come here looking for narrative depth or nuance. Do come for an infectious reminder of the sheer joy of dance. Originally created for Lichfield Festival and reworked for this three-night London run, this was like a 90-minute, supersized Strictly showdance. For glitterball fans, fab‑ew-lous.
