REVIEW
Aljaž and Janette: A Night To Remember
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend
20th May 2025
Aljaž and Janette: A Night To Remember
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend
20th May 2025
A Night to Remember opened with an off-stage announcement that welcomed the audience to film and take photos of the show throughout, “while being mindful of others around you.” I found this an odd decision for a nostalgia-rich, big-band show promising a welcome escape from reality, but onwards.
Of course, if you’re a Strictly fan then Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara need no introduction. If you’re not, they’re husband-and-wife pro-dancers who stood out on the show as much for their joyful energy and charisma as their dancing.
A Night to Remember is a worthy and glittering showcase for Aljaž and Janette’s many talents, which as well as impeccable dancing, include solo singing and easy improvised banter with live band leader Tom Seals, who is dubbed “the UK’s finest boogie-woogie and blues pianist/vocalist.”
In fact, everybody on stage is phenomenally talented in their own right. Janette describes them as “the best in the business”, and it’s hard to disagree. Singer Jill Marie Cooper brought glittering Vegas headliner energy, deftly taking us through a wide array of songs both old and new – or as Janette put it, “music that moves us and grooves us.”
As such there were plenty of jazz, soul, and blues classics, as well as a clever routine performed to a mashup of Elvis and Michael Jackson hits. Teddy Swims’ recent chart-topper ‘Lose Control’ was a highlight: danced by Aljaž and Janette to a mesmerising blend of classic and contemporary choreography.
Sparkly costume-changes rival Elizabeth Taylor’s in Cleopatra, so while the stars of the show were getting ready for the next number, we were ably entertained by a quartet of fabulous young dancers: Kiera Brunton, Natasha Mould, Tonyé Scott-Obené, and Nick Godfrey… who at one point performed a heart-stopping backflip down the on-stage staircase!
Having such a gifted live band perform all through the show felt like a genuine treat – Tom Seals proudly confirmed that no backing tracks or pre-recordings are used – and the set’s glitzy, old Hollywood vibes were completely on point. There was also an inclusive sense of fun throughout, even when things didn’t go completely to plan. Rare moments of ‘imperfection’ – Tom humorously mistaking the word “ten” for “tan” during an improvised chat with Aljaž, and Jill Marie stumbling slightly over a prop as she left the stage – felt endearing and personal.
All the ingredients for an actual Night to Remember are there, and as Aljaž mentions, this is a show that’s designed to “feed the soul”. For me, that’s enough reason to leave my phone firmly in my bag. Others came away with clips and photos to feed social media and perhaps send more people rushing to see the show for themselves… which might not be such a bad thing, after all.
Review: Nina Jervis-Green
www.ninathewriter.com
Of course, if you’re a Strictly fan then Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara need no introduction. If you’re not, they’re husband-and-wife pro-dancers who stood out on the show as much for their joyful energy and charisma as their dancing.
A Night to Remember is a worthy and glittering showcase for Aljaž and Janette’s many talents, which as well as impeccable dancing, include solo singing and easy improvised banter with live band leader Tom Seals, who is dubbed “the UK’s finest boogie-woogie and blues pianist/vocalist.”
In fact, everybody on stage is phenomenally talented in their own right. Janette describes them as “the best in the business”, and it’s hard to disagree. Singer Jill Marie Cooper brought glittering Vegas headliner energy, deftly taking us through a wide array of songs both old and new – or as Janette put it, “music that moves us and grooves us.”
As such there were plenty of jazz, soul, and blues classics, as well as a clever routine performed to a mashup of Elvis and Michael Jackson hits. Teddy Swims’ recent chart-topper ‘Lose Control’ was a highlight: danced by Aljaž and Janette to a mesmerising blend of classic and contemporary choreography.
Sparkly costume-changes rival Elizabeth Taylor’s in Cleopatra, so while the stars of the show were getting ready for the next number, we were ably entertained by a quartet of fabulous young dancers: Kiera Brunton, Natasha Mould, Tonyé Scott-Obené, and Nick Godfrey… who at one point performed a heart-stopping backflip down the on-stage staircase!
Having such a gifted live band perform all through the show felt like a genuine treat – Tom Seals proudly confirmed that no backing tracks or pre-recordings are used – and the set’s glitzy, old Hollywood vibes were completely on point. There was also an inclusive sense of fun throughout, even when things didn’t go completely to plan. Rare moments of ‘imperfection’ – Tom humorously mistaking the word “ten” for “tan” during an improvised chat with Aljaž, and Jill Marie stumbling slightly over a prop as she left the stage – felt endearing and personal.
All the ingredients for an actual Night to Remember are there, and as Aljaž mentions, this is a show that’s designed to “feed the soul”. For me, that’s enough reason to leave my phone firmly in my bag. Others came away with clips and photos to feed social media and perhaps send more people rushing to see the show for themselves… which might not be such a bad thing, after all.
Review: Nina Jervis-Green
www.ninathewriter.com
Aljaž and Janette: A Night To Remember
Due to popular demand, Strictly Come Dancing favourites Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara have added extra tour dates for their brand new dance spectacular A Night To Remember.
Tickets are on sale now, available from all venues, www.ticketmaster.co.uk and www.ANightToRememberShow.com
Renowned for their show’s spectacular productions and jaw-dropping choreography, A Night To Remember promises to be the dance stars’ biggest show to-date, featuring a sensational ensemble of some of the UK’s very best dancers and singers.
In addition, Aljaž and Janette will take to the dance floor to perform stunning routines to an eclectic array of music - spanning the Great American songbook through to modern day classics - backed by their very own big band, fronted by boogie woogie star Tom Seals.
Looking ahead to their new tour, Aljaž said, “As if my return to Strictly wasn’t exciting enough, for Janette and I to be looking forward to our biggest tour next year makes us feel like the luckiest dancers in the world. And as everybody knows from watching Strictly, you just can’t beat dancing in front of a live band. So, more than ever, we can’t wait to share our new show with our amazing fans all across the UK. It will be a night to remember for everyone...so don’t forget to book your tickets!”
Janette said, “Aljaž and I are truly thrilled to announce our new show A Night To Remember for 2025. It truly is going to be memorable show, and we are so happy to have the phenomenal Tom Seals and his Big Band bringing their off-the-scale energy to the stage for us to dance to every night. It’s going to be amazing. See you there!”
Aljaž first joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2013, starring in the following nine series to become one of the longest-serving male dancers in the show’s history. In his first series, Aljaž was partnered with model Abbey Clancy, with the pair going on to lift the coveted Glitterball trophy.
His other celebrity dance partners included Dragon’s Den star Sarah Davies MBE, model Daisy Lowe, TV presenter Alison Hammond and actress Gemma Atkinson, with whom he reached the final in 2017.
After leaving Strictly in 2022, Aljaž made his hugely popular return to the show earlier this year, partnering Love Island star Tasha Ghouri.
Janette also joined Strictly Come Dancing’s cast of professional dancers in 2013, starring in eight series, before announcing in 2021 that she would be stepping down as a competitor to co-host Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two.
During her time on Strictly, Janette’s celebrity dance partners included actor Jake Wood, singer Peter Andre, JLS star Aston Merrygold, doctor and TV presenter Ranj Singh and Paralympian Will Bayley MBE.
For her final series in 2020, Janette was partnered with singer and TV presenter HRVY, where they finished the series as runners-up in the final.
The full list of tour dates for Aljaž and Janette: A Night To Remember is now as follows:
May
14 Swansea Swansea Arena
15 Truro Hall For Cornwall
17 Bath The Forum
20 Southend Cliffs Pavilion
21 London The London Palladium
22 Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre
23 Birmingham Symphony Hall
25 Canterbury Marlowe Theatre
27 Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
28 Liverpool Royal Liverpool Philharmonic
29 Hull Connexin Live
30 Gateshead The Glasshouse
31 Manchester The Bridgewater Hall
June
1 York Barbican
3 Guildford G Live
4 Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
5 Fareham Fareham Live
6 St Albans The Albans Arena
8 Torquay Princess Theatre
Due to popular demand, Strictly Come Dancing favourites Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara have added extra tour dates for their brand new dance spectacular A Night To Remember.
Tickets are on sale now, available from all venues, www.ticketmaster.co.uk and www.ANightToRememberShow.com
Renowned for their show’s spectacular productions and jaw-dropping choreography, A Night To Remember promises to be the dance stars’ biggest show to-date, featuring a sensational ensemble of some of the UK’s very best dancers and singers.
In addition, Aljaž and Janette will take to the dance floor to perform stunning routines to an eclectic array of music - spanning the Great American songbook through to modern day classics - backed by their very own big band, fronted by boogie woogie star Tom Seals.
Looking ahead to their new tour, Aljaž said, “As if my return to Strictly wasn’t exciting enough, for Janette and I to be looking forward to our biggest tour next year makes us feel like the luckiest dancers in the world. And as everybody knows from watching Strictly, you just can’t beat dancing in front of a live band. So, more than ever, we can’t wait to share our new show with our amazing fans all across the UK. It will be a night to remember for everyone...so don’t forget to book your tickets!”
Janette said, “Aljaž and I are truly thrilled to announce our new show A Night To Remember for 2025. It truly is going to be memorable show, and we are so happy to have the phenomenal Tom Seals and his Big Band bringing their off-the-scale energy to the stage for us to dance to every night. It’s going to be amazing. See you there!”
Aljaž first joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2013, starring in the following nine series to become one of the longest-serving male dancers in the show’s history. In his first series, Aljaž was partnered with model Abbey Clancy, with the pair going on to lift the coveted Glitterball trophy.
His other celebrity dance partners included Dragon’s Den star Sarah Davies MBE, model Daisy Lowe, TV presenter Alison Hammond and actress Gemma Atkinson, with whom he reached the final in 2017.
After leaving Strictly in 2022, Aljaž made his hugely popular return to the show earlier this year, partnering Love Island star Tasha Ghouri.
Janette also joined Strictly Come Dancing’s cast of professional dancers in 2013, starring in eight series, before announcing in 2021 that she would be stepping down as a competitor to co-host Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two.
During her time on Strictly, Janette’s celebrity dance partners included actor Jake Wood, singer Peter Andre, JLS star Aston Merrygold, doctor and TV presenter Ranj Singh and Paralympian Will Bayley MBE.
For her final series in 2020, Janette was partnered with singer and TV presenter HRVY, where they finished the series as runners-up in the final.
The full list of tour dates for Aljaž and Janette: A Night To Remember is now as follows:
May
14 Swansea Swansea Arena
15 Truro Hall For Cornwall
17 Bath The Forum
20 Southend Cliffs Pavilion
21 London The London Palladium
22 Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre
23 Birmingham Symphony Hall
25 Canterbury Marlowe Theatre
27 Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
28 Liverpool Royal Liverpool Philharmonic
29 Hull Connexin Live
30 Gateshead The Glasshouse
31 Manchester The Bridgewater Hall
June
1 York Barbican
3 Guildford G Live
4 Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
5 Fareham Fareham Live
6 St Albans The Albans Arena
8 Torquay Princess Theatre