REVIEW
Anton and Erin
SHOWTIME
✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5
Anton and Erin
SHOWTIME
✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5
Anton Du Beke and Erin Boag are synonymous with the UK’s highest standard of professional ballroom dancing. Their mere mention brings a flood of mental images likely to include: flowing ball gowns, top hat and tails, Charleston tassels, Paso Doble-Posturing (with lycra!) and the sensuality of the Argentinian Tango - oh, and did I mention the prized ‘Strictly’ glitter ball?
Add to this the glamour and glitz of the Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot and Quick Step et al, with their required intricate footwork, exquisite lines, impressive lifts, energetic and, at times, evocative choreography, all framed in a kaleidoscope of colourful storytelling, and it becomes apparent why this 25 year old dance partnership continues to be ever popular.
All of this formed my expectation as I took my seat for Anton and Erin’s 2022 Tour, Showtime at Southend on Sea’s Cliffs Pavilion, on Friday 11th March. And .....they did not disappoint.
With the exception of the slightly lengthy, and at moments cringeworthy and mildly misogynistic, Q&A session, the two hour performance passed in a flash, giving the illusion of having been in an other-worldly time-vacuum. In short, it completely surpassed my appropriately high expectations and provided a much needed music and dance oasis of escapism.
The simple set, comprising of both artist’s names writ large in lights and the (on stage) 23 piece London Concert Orchestra, under the immensely capable direction of Richard Balken, was minimalist but effective.
The orchestra got the evening off to a bright start with an energetic medley of Dancing in the Street, Something Tells Me and Pure Imagination, during which the evening’s soloists, and the six strong Showtime Dancers, set the tone of the evening.
Clearly this was not to be a mere conveyor belt of compered cabaret-like acts but rather a seamless and integrated team performance, in which dancer became singer and singer became dancer in a non-stop unfurling of music and dance, topped and tailed by flowing, elegant and virtually imperceptible transitions, choreographed creatively to an impressively high standard.
The anticipated ‘dip’ into The Great American Songbook came in the guise of a Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers cocktail, which included: Top Hat, Can’t Take That Away from Me, The Way You Look Tonight, A Fine Romance and Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off.
By contrast, and the most enjoyable surprise of the evening, were the fabulous orchestral arrangements which morphed the more modern Spice Girl’s hit Wannabe, into a 1930’s Charleston, while Beyonce’s Single Ladies, Oasis’ Wonderwall and Pharrell Williams’ Happy, were given the Jazz Standard, Big Band Treatment.
The vocalists, Lance Ellington and Elizabeth Futter, joined by none other than Mr Anton Du Beke, all gave sterling performances while contributing impressively to the dance and storytelling.
Like Strictly, (but thankfully minus the backstories and innuendo-laced, and at times banal, comments of former judges), Showtime is fantastic family entertainment and an energetic display of tangible artistic chemistry by consummate multi-skilled professionals, complimented by interesting anecdotes, including the customary light-hearted and affectionate, ‘Craig-bashing’, and many other laugh-out-loud comedic moments.
A class act and a thoroughly enjoyable and wonderful evening’s entertainment.
REVIEW: CHAS SLUDDEN
The tour continues..
Add to this the glamour and glitz of the Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot and Quick Step et al, with their required intricate footwork, exquisite lines, impressive lifts, energetic and, at times, evocative choreography, all framed in a kaleidoscope of colourful storytelling, and it becomes apparent why this 25 year old dance partnership continues to be ever popular.
All of this formed my expectation as I took my seat for Anton and Erin’s 2022 Tour, Showtime at Southend on Sea’s Cliffs Pavilion, on Friday 11th March. And .....they did not disappoint.
With the exception of the slightly lengthy, and at moments cringeworthy and mildly misogynistic, Q&A session, the two hour performance passed in a flash, giving the illusion of having been in an other-worldly time-vacuum. In short, it completely surpassed my appropriately high expectations and provided a much needed music and dance oasis of escapism.
The simple set, comprising of both artist’s names writ large in lights and the (on stage) 23 piece London Concert Orchestra, under the immensely capable direction of Richard Balken, was minimalist but effective.
The orchestra got the evening off to a bright start with an energetic medley of Dancing in the Street, Something Tells Me and Pure Imagination, during which the evening’s soloists, and the six strong Showtime Dancers, set the tone of the evening.
Clearly this was not to be a mere conveyor belt of compered cabaret-like acts but rather a seamless and integrated team performance, in which dancer became singer and singer became dancer in a non-stop unfurling of music and dance, topped and tailed by flowing, elegant and virtually imperceptible transitions, choreographed creatively to an impressively high standard.
The anticipated ‘dip’ into The Great American Songbook came in the guise of a Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers cocktail, which included: Top Hat, Can’t Take That Away from Me, The Way You Look Tonight, A Fine Romance and Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off.
By contrast, and the most enjoyable surprise of the evening, were the fabulous orchestral arrangements which morphed the more modern Spice Girl’s hit Wannabe, into a 1930’s Charleston, while Beyonce’s Single Ladies, Oasis’ Wonderwall and Pharrell Williams’ Happy, were given the Jazz Standard, Big Band Treatment.
The vocalists, Lance Ellington and Elizabeth Futter, joined by none other than Mr Anton Du Beke, all gave sterling performances while contributing impressively to the dance and storytelling.
Like Strictly, (but thankfully minus the backstories and innuendo-laced, and at times banal, comments of former judges), Showtime is fantastic family entertainment and an energetic display of tangible artistic chemistry by consummate multi-skilled professionals, complimented by interesting anecdotes, including the customary light-hearted and affectionate, ‘Craig-bashing’, and many other laugh-out-loud comedic moments.
A class act and a thoroughly enjoyable and wonderful evening’s entertainment.
REVIEW: CHAS SLUDDEN
The tour continues..
Join the nation’s favourite ballroom couple on their brand new tour for 2022. Along with the rest of the world of live entertainment, Anton and Erin had to postpone their 2021 tour due to coronavirus restrictions. They are delighted to be back next year and have released a short trailer which highlights the excitement and energy of putting on a show, something that has been missed by so many.
SHOWTIME is a glittering celebration that pays tribute to some of the world’s greatest icons of entertainment as Anton & Erin present world class dance inspired by an array of classic performers including Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Charlie Chaplin, Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones, Liza Minelli, Elton John and many more.
With stunning costumes, fabulous live vocals, a high-energy West End dance ensemble and a sensational 23 piece orchestra.
Get ready for Anton & Erin … It’s SHOWTIME!
Tickets available from venues and online at www.antonanderinlive.co.uk
SHOWTIME is a glittering celebration that pays tribute to some of the world’s greatest icons of entertainment as Anton & Erin present world class dance inspired by an array of classic performers including Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Charlie Chaplin, Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones, Liza Minelli, Elton John and many more.
With stunning costumes, fabulous live vocals, a high-energy West End dance ensemble and a sensational 23 piece orchestra.
Get ready for Anton & Erin … It’s SHOWTIME!
Tickets available from venues and online at www.antonanderinlive.co.uk
2022 TOUR DATES
Thu 17, 7.30pm ABERDEEN, Music Hall
Sat 19, 7.30pm EDINBURGH, Usher Hall
Sun 20, 3.00pm GLASGOW, Royal Concert Hall
Wed 30, 7.30pm WIMBLEDON, New Wimbledon Theatre
Thu 17, 7.30pm ABERDEEN, Music Hall
Sat 19, 7.30pm EDINBURGH, Usher Hall
Sun 20, 3.00pm GLASGOW, Royal Concert Hall
Wed 30, 7.30pm WIMBLEDON, New Wimbledon Theatre