STRICTLY WEEK 11 Blog

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Strictly Come Dancing Blog WEEK 11

Quarterfinals week and with our six remaining couples not only fearing the intensity of the final being two weeks away, but this week they also have to cope with dancing twice  as its Swingathon week.

Ashley & Ola Salsa C8  D9  L9  B9  T35

What a performance! Ashley has worked extremely hard on his Salsa this week and the control on his lifts and tricks was off the scale, I personally would prefer to see him in a slightly higher Cuban heel as he is quite flat footed and needs a little more knee action to create a truer hip action but for me this was Ashley’s best performance to date.

Natalie & Artem Paso Doblé C9  D9  L8  B9  T35

A very dramatic performance of a Paso Doblé and a very balletic show routine but I have to agree with Len about the traditional content (or lack of) the story of the Paso is the male taking the part of the matador and the girl being his cape but as they were dancing apart for the majority of the routine it just felt more like two solo performances rather than a duet. (Sorry guys you know I think you are fab)

Patrick & Anya Rumba C8  D10  L9  B9  T36

A masculine Rumba with a strong action developing, with good use of arm lines and positions, there were however quite a few heel leads from Patrick, but I loved the tension they created.

Susanna & Kevin Argentine Tango C8  D8  L8  B8  T32

I loved the concept of this routine dancing an Argentine to Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal, I did feel that the routine was a little stompy in places rather than the creeping, sliding feel the Argentine should have, it was intense and the choreography fitted the music very well it was just a little clinical.

Abbey & Aljaz Viennese Waltz C9  D9  L9  B10  T37

An excellent Viennese Waltz with fantastic choreography, Abbey has just secured her place in the final with this routine, her upper body, in hold, was just beautiful with just the right amount of curve in her back, which takes years of experience to hold for any amount of time, she did lose her arm line slightly in the second half of the routine but did keep the energy level throughout, I would have scored this a ten and Abbey is the most improved in this year’s series and now really looks like a true dancer.

Sophie & Brendan Tango C9  D8  L8  B9  T34

This dance should have been Sophie’s best dance yet, but for me it lacked the intensity  of a Tango, I loved the story and the overall performance I just felt that Brendan looked as if he was really having to work too hard.

“Swingathon”

The Jiving, Lindying, Swinging free for all, where all our couples get to battle out on the floor at the same time as in a real dancing competition, it is very difficult to give an honest opinion on any couples performance as the camera angles made it difficult to watch them all collectively, however I suppose the judges’ decision is final and they scored as follows;

Susanna & Kevin 1, Ashley & Ola 2, Abbey & Aljaz 3, Sophie & Brendan 4, Patrick & Anya 5, Natalie & Artem 6.

Sunday Results Show

A terrific titanium opening from our Strictly dancers but with both are remaining male celebrities in the dreaded dance off, you knew there was going to be tears. Ashley & Ola and Patrick & Anya both danced their hearts out and Ashley & Ola will be missed but Patrick & Anya are through to next week’s SEMI FINAL! The judges however were not unanimous in their decision, and Len got a little uptight as Bruno, Craig and Darcey all saved Patrick. 

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Strictly WEEK 9 Blog

Picture courtesy of the BBC 

 

Strictly Come Dancing Blog WEEK 9

With only four weeks left until this year’s Strictly final, as we see temperatures start to freeze outside, which of our celebrities is heating things up on the dance floor, and who is shivering and quivering with an ice cold performance that does not impress the judges? At least none of our celebrities want to get out of here!

Susanna & Kevin Cha Cha C7  D8  L8  B8  T31

Susanna Reid, You Cha Cha minx! A very convincing, courageous Cha Cha that was full of hips, shimmies and bling, to help create a truer correct hip action now try to only have one knee bent at a time , but an excellent performance and a definite crowd pleasure, despite what the judges were saying.

Ashley & Ola Waltz C8  D9  L9  B9  T35

A lovely simple Waltz that Ashley did make it look effortless, showing signs of control, however the top line (which is the line taken across the shoulders and into the upper arms that should be a perfect straight line) was slightly slanted, and the head line ( which should be looking to the left and slightly tilting outward as if you are trying to look behind your left arm without dropping the chin) was slightly inclined to the right, the routine did have a very light and floating feel which is true to the Waltz.

Natalie & Artem Tango C9  D9  L9  B10 T 37

WOW, this is actually how a true Tango should be danced, strong, powerful and full of passion and poise, and this is how you win at Strictly, but I was expecting a higher result from the judges, did you?

Mark & Iveta Foxtrot C6  D8  L7  B7  T28

Mark to say you have only been Ballroom dancing for 12 weeks there was nothing to be ashamed of, the Foxtrot is one of the hardest dances to master for any male, the flight and softness it requires yet power and strength to control the stride is very difficult and on the whole I thought you did a pretty good job, yes I would have liked to see a little more sway which gives the Foxtrot its smoothness but well danced.

Sophie & Brendan Rumba C7  D8  L8  B8  T31

Sophie has an amazing leg, as this was a beautiful Rumba, the dance of love and you could feel the emotion through every step, Brendan’s comments to the judges after they had danced were right on the money, Rumba is soft yet powerful as a dance, and not meant to be hot and sexy, If anything I would have liked to see Sophie’s upper body moving a little more and projecting into the forward placing foot, but this was definitely a true Rumba, that was danced correctly.

Ben & Kristina Charleston C6  D7  L7  B7  T27

Ben the content in your routine this week was phenomenal and so full of character, it was light footed and you showed musicality and charisma through your dance, you have come a very long way and with your strength and determination should continue and easily an eight from me.

Abbey & Aljaz Paso Doblé C8  D8  L8  B8  T32

A very promising Paso Doblé with great strong lines and presence, if I am absolutely honest I found the music quite soft and floaty which gave the dance a more fluid feel rather than the start stop action of a March, I loved the choreography and the performance was your best yet Abbey, now keep up the hard work as I know we have not quite seen everything yet.

Patrick & Anya Viennese Waltz C8  D8  L8  B8  T32

I loved the storyline that was created in the Viennese Waltz, there was some amazing content and choreography despite the few little technical issues and the floor spin at the end was very messy, it did look as if Patrick was throwing a ball around on a piece of rope almost as if they had run out of time to finish the routine properly as the last couple of figures did not look to be part of the same dance, but as always great rhythm, great story a great Waltz.

Sunday Results Show

A ‘Great British Bake Off’ opening from our professional dancers this week which for me was not one of their best performances that they have been enlightening us with of recent, but with Mark & Iveta and Ben & Kristina in the dreaded dance off I knew there was going to be tears all round and I did agree with the judges to save Mark & Iveta, I thought Ben danced down a little almost as if he wanted to step aside, but he will be sadly missed and his journey has been legendry,  next week is Musical Special Week where we see our magnificent seven strut their stuff from Broadway to the West End!

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Strictly Blog WEEK 7

Picture courtesy of the BBC

Strictly Come Dancing Blog WEEK 7

Week seven already and after the upset of last weeks dreaded dance off when we lost Rachel & Pasha, and this week with Natalie unfortunately being taken ill at the last minute and not dancing at all, which of our remaining couples were next for the chop, as we reach the half way point of the competition the improvement in our celebrities should now be really showing, but who is showing signs of weakening?


Ben & Kristina Jive C4  D7  L8  B7  T26
Ben is certainly owning the dance floor, a great, very well performed Jive routine with a Double Twisting Pull Through, I personally would have liked to see a little higher knee and kick action, his timing also was off a couple of times, but he attacked the whole thing with passion.


Fiona & Anton Paso Doblé C5  D7  L7  B7  T26
Fiona had some really nice shaping and strong Paso lines, I loved the true Paso Doblé choreography, and this was one of Fiona’s best performances and easily ‘A View to a Kill’


Abbey & Aljaz Charleston C9  D9  L9  B9  T36
A fast, flirty and furious Charleston, light footed and quirky, a very well polished routine that was excellently performed the simplicity and enjoyment factor that they showed us was amazing.


Mark & Iveta Rumba C5  D6  L7  B5  T23
I liked what Iveta had tried to do with the choreography but unfortunately, it did not do it for me, I would have preferred just to see Mark dancing something a lot less showy and contained, Rumba is the dance of love and should be oozed and tenderised but having Dr Evil playing the lover to the music of Goldfinger just took the artistic licence a little too far I thought, Mark does work very very hard, but with the strained action and heel leads this could be his last secret mission.

Susanna & Kevin Waltz C9  D9  L9  B9  T36
A beautiful, simple and effortless Waltz, performed with true emotion, poise and presentation coupled with more rotary turns than a perpetual engine, I loved every second, and Susanna deserves to go all the way in this competition.


Dave & Karen Tango C4  D6  L6  B4  T20
I have to say that there were some recognisable steps in Dave’s routine this week and he did put his all in to it, although it was very stompy in places it was passionately performed.


Ashley & Ola Quickstep C8  D9  L9  B9  T35
A fast furious Quickstep, Ashley is very light on his feet and although his posture had improved his top line was still off at points I thought, a very competent performance that was very well danced with great energy.

Sophie & Brendan Argentine Tango C8  D8  L8  B8  T32
This for me was Sophie’s best dance without a shadow of a doubt, I loved the true choreography with the simplicity of the lines and the transition of the steps, beautifully performed.

Patrick & Anya American Smooth C9  D10  L9  B9  T37
I loved the opening to their routine this week, the energy and level of showmanship was fantastic, Patrick’s musical interpretation is purely natural, I loved the choreography and the style he showed throughout the routine there was a little slip at the end but he recovered very well and it did not distract from the mesmerising performance.

Sundays Result Show.

A fabulous opening for remembrance Sundays result show to the wonderful Punini Sisters and Sing Sing Sing, but with Dave & Karen and Mark & Iveta in the dreaded dance off and with both couples being similarly matched it was going to be no easy task for our judges, personally I felt that Dave & Karen danced slightly better than Mark & Iveta, as did Len, but the other judges chose Mark & Iveta who we see dance again next week in BLACKPOOL come on!


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Strictly Come Dancing Week 5 Blog

Strictly Come Dancing 2013 Blog WEEK 5

As British Summer Time officially ends and we turn the clocks back to give us all an extra hour in bed, which of our celebrities wish they could turn back the clock to perform again? Whose time is up? As the Barre gets higher and higher, who now cannot meet standard? As our twelve remaining couples become eleven and the leader board starts to show signs of a real divide.

Natalie & Artem Samba C8  D9  L9  B9  T35

These two seem so perfectly matched on the dance floor and with yet another great routine and true Samba performance with no tricks or stunts just great dancing and fabulous choreography, if I had to make any criticism at all it would be for Natalie to be a little softer in the leg action which would help her create a stronger Samba hip action.

Abbey & Aljaz Foxtrot C8  D9  L9  B9  T35

Nobody can deny these two make a stunning couple and they performed an elegant heart felt Foxtrot, there was however quite a bit of gapping from Abbey in her top half and she does still look a little nervous at times, her foot placing could have also been a little neater when striding forward but their chemistry is shown throughout the whole routine.

Dave & Karen Salsa C3  D5  L5  B4  T17

Dave back in his comfort zone of comedy performance, it was quite a fast pacing routine with some very well controlled lifts despite there being hardly any real Salsa but as always he is fun to watch.

Deborah & Robin Viennese Waltz C6  D7  L7  B7  T27

A much better performance from Deborah this week she really looked as if she was enjoying herself again, a great technical routine even though Deborah was a little high in the shoulders at times, but she is definitely improving week after week.

Patrick & Anya Salsa C6  D8  L7  B7  T28

A soulful Salsa from Patrick and with a wrist injury that obviously caused them choreography problems, he did not let it spoil their performance one little bit, and most people would have not danced at all, let’s all hope he repairs quickly for next week.

Fiona & Anton Quickstep C7  D7  L8  B8  T30

What a pretty Quickstep routine, it was very clean and precise with a great little story line, Fiona even looked as if she was enjoying herself and seemed more relaxed and at ease as if she had just won the jackpot at the ‘Casino Royale’

Rachel & Pasha Paso Doblé C4  D6  L6  B6  T22

Rachel has worked extremely hard on her performance level this week, but I did feel as though some of her effort was a little forced in places, a little simpler choreography would have helped her as she was just out of her comfort zone which showed in her technique.

Mark & Iveta Waltz C7  D7  L7  B7  T28

Mark was very brave to start the routine solo and did extremely well showing good rise and fall and correct footwork, he then continued to show us good poise and a well-controlled routine which he should be very proud of.

Ashley & Ola Jive C7  D8  L8  B8  T31

Ashley has a good kick and flick action however a little more control on the finishing would have made it that more pleasing on the eye, he had great control on the lifts and stunts but he is still occasionally flat footed If he just finished his lines and works on his lowering action he will go far.

Susanna & Kevin  American Smooth (Foxtrot) C8  D8  L8  B8 T32

Susanna’s dancing makes me smile from ear to ear, her control and musical interpretation takes years to learn yet another lovely performance finished beautifully and delightful to watch.

Ben & Kristina Quickstep C6  D7  L7  B7  T27

A very light footed furious Quickstep, Ben’s timing was a bit off in places and I do agree totally with Len’s comment about some of the content of the routines being too much show and not enough dance, especially when the celebrity is obviously capable of more demanding figures.

Sophie & Brendan Cha Cha C7  D8  L7 B8  T30

Beautiful straight legs from Sophie, however I do feel that she is in a too higher heel which stops her from lowering the foot correctly and is pitching her too far forward so she occasionally becomes stompy and dances the traveling steps on bent knees.

Sunday’s result Show

The choreography of our professional show routines this series is Strictly out of this world, but I did not quite get the Geisha appeal to their routine? Shockingly Deborah & Robin and Patrick & Anya were both in the dreaded dance off, I feel that these two couples are very evenly matched, however Patrick did perform slightly better than Deborah but she did not deserve to leave this week, so we see Patrick and Anya strut their stuff again next week, Deborah, we will miss you as I know you will miss your Strictly experience, but please KEEEEP DANCING.

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