There were sequins, sparkles and glitter everywhere you looked in the P&J Live arena last night – and that was just the audience.
Fans had clearly pulled out all of the stops to welcome the UK tour of Strictly Come Dancing – The Professionals to the north-east.
And the pros returned the favour with a non-stop spectacle of dance and music straight off the telly and onto the stage in Aberdeen to the delight of a packed house of Strictly fans.
At first, you might think it’s a bit of an oddity to tour the professionals on their own, without the celebrities who hook in viewers in their millions when the BBC show is in full swing over the autumn and winter months.
Strictly pros put their astonishing skills in the spotlight at P&J Live
But the “Strictly stars” are the icing on the cake for the series. It simply wouldn’t work without the vital ingredient of professional dancers at the top of their game who transform the novices week after week.
They make the show and on tour, they get a chance to put their rather astonishing skills into the spotlight in their own right, rather than putting the focus on the celebs.
And they certainly got the warmest of welcomes at P&J Live as each was introduced – Dianne, Nadiya, Graziano, Karen, Katya, Neil, Gorka, Luba, Kai and Arduino, the latter being assistant choreographer on last year’s Strictly and now joining the pros on the road.
The basic format is familiar to anyone who has ever seen Strictly, built on the foundation of those opening ensemble dance numbers that make the Sunday night shows such a joy to watch.
And ensemble was very much the key to the Professionals live show. Massive numbers that showcased silky skills from jive to American smooth, to sultry Latin and Argentine tango, set to a brilliant band and the wonderful vocals of Tara McDonald and Patrick Smyth.
Big dance numbers were flawless in execution at P&J Live
As you would expect, these are spectacular to watch and flawless in execution, whether it’s a brilliant jazz-infused Crazy In Love with a 1920s feel to it, or a Bond homage with five 007s for the price of one.
Huge round of applause too for whoever was co-ordinating the costume changes backstage – no one came back on stage in the same outfit twice, sometimes within seconds of stepping into the wings then back in front of the audience.
The dancers pulled it all off superbly well, despite swapping the expansive dance floor of the TV studio for a tight-looking stage. By the way, a couple of big screens on the side might have been nice for the folks up the back to get a closer view of the sublime footwork.
But to aid and abet the dancing, the pros also chatted with the audience and showcased their personalities, explaining how and why they love dance and even throwing in some childhood photos. Judging from the oohs and ahs, Graziano won the bonniest baby competition.
Sometimes the banter felt a bit forced and cheesy, but was at its best when all 10 were on stage passing the mike around to riff on tidbits such as what age they started dancing at.
They seemed like a bunch of mates having a chat, relaxed and happy – mind you, Aberdeen was the last show on a 36-date tour, so who can blame them for just chilling into that final furlong.
But they didn’t stint on what they delivered, with highlights including a high-energy cha-cha-cha, with all 10 strutting their stuff and rounding out the night with a tribute to British pop in a breathless medley bringing banging tunes and spectacular dance together that had the audience up dancing with them.
P&J Live audience sorry to see Strictly pros take their leave
It was a great night’s entertainment that had the audience sorry to see the dancers take their leave – there were a few shouts of “more”.
But now the pros can take a well-earned break before we see them back on the telly this autumn when the celebs will be in the limelight again in Strictly Come Dancing on the BBC.
Now, though, we know who the real stars are.
Conversation