REVIEW
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
Senbla presents in association with Steven Howard for The TCB Group and David Shepherd
NADIYA & KAI: BEHIND THE MAGIC
Dance Sensations Return with Brand New Show for 2024 UK Tour
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
Senbla presents in association with Steven Howard for The TCB Group and David Shepherd
NADIYA & KAI: BEHIND THE MAGIC
Dance Sensations Return with Brand New Show for 2024 UK Tour
Following on from the huge success of their debut show last year, Strictly Come Dancing’s favourite real life couple, Nadiya and Kai have been back on the road again this June, touring the UK with their new show Behind the Magic, which arrived at the Cliffs Pavilion on Thursday evening in its final week of the tour.
Whereas last year, we spent the evening getting to know our two Strictly stars and their own individual stories, this year they have chosen to take us backstage and give us a taste of the creative process. From the very beginning, this is a fast-moving dance spectacular.
Behind The Magic is split into 5 sections in each half. Kai enters first through video screens at the back, looking suave in his ‘top hat & tails’ outfit, followed by Nadiya looking simply stunning, and it’s Lights, Music, Action! In a whirl of spinning dressing room tables, trunks and huge spotlights, we are off to Hollywood, with Kai, as Gene Kelly singing ( well…miming to a pre-recorded track) Gotta Dance which well and truly starts the show as it means to go on.
This opening section is so action packed, and there is so much to watch. As an audience member, you watch in awe at the speed of the movement, and wonder where they get their energy from.
A bit of comedy follows with an affectionate send up of the TV dance show itself, with 3 members of the audience being reluctantly pulled up on stage. One gentleman who joined in was non other than Kai’s very own father, Tommy. This was to have quite a bearing on what happened later in the show. Whilst I found this section a little bit clunky, it does give us the chance to get to know the 3 hard working professional dance couples who are onstage for much of the evening.
One of the most impressive aspects of this show is how versatile the dancers are. They perform such a variety of choreographic styles. Along with Nadiya and Kai, there are 8 dancers in all, plus one very talented singer/guitarist, Thomas Wolstenhume, who sings many covers with great vocals, making each number his own, with a very attractive presence that never upstages the dancers.
The first half builds to a tribute to Choreographic Genius. Firstly, continuing the Hollywood Theme, we have Nadiya & Kai as Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers dancing Cheek to Cheek. Then a hat stand appears, with each dancer holding a top hat and cane, and it’s Fosse time. The lighting here is so spectacular, with strong spots lighting each dancer. For a touring show, so much attention has gone into the design, to give us a show that is dazzling to watch. Full credit has to go to the entire creative team.
A final section devoted to Michael Jackson brings the first half to an end. Exhausted? That’s only the end of the first half!
The second half lifts off with a Fashion Show, featuring a catwalk. Nadiya tells us how she particularly enjoys this part, especially as she takes to the stage in the famous white Marilyn Monroe dress; which in a real theatrical coup, extends right out to the corners of the stage, when each dancer takes hold of a corner.
We then have a Ballroom section, Music Makers; and a finale devoted to the time-honoured theme that The Show Must Go On.
It is impossible to overstate how talented every member of this company works. The pace never slackens for a second. On a very warm evening, everyone on stage looked cool and effortless. Lightning costume changes happen throughout. That would be enough to tire anyone out, but these dancers never slacken.
At the helm, Nadiya looks a million dollars throughout. That old adage, that gentlemen sweat and ladies perspire simply does not apply. She just does not have a hair out of place, and is a simply breathtaking dancer. Meanwhile Kai, who particularly suits those classic Hollywood routines, wearing the full tuxedo with white waistcoat, is as light as air on his feet, with killer smile melting every heart in the audience. He is clearly a firm favourite with every lady, and, yes, me too!
Towards the end, they both pay tribute to their families, and it was at this point that Kai became very emotional. He tells us that at the age of 12, he faced a crossroads in his life. He had been training to be a footballer, following in the footsteps of his dad, but instead decided to follow his passion to dance, with his father’s full blessing. Having his father, Tommy Widdrington, in the audience proved overwhelming for Kai and the tears flowed, providing a very moving climax to the evening, which had the entire packed crowd on their feet. The company looked delighted that their latest visit to Southend had been so well received. What a night!
The tour may be over for this year, but DO NOT MISS your chance to see them next time Nadiya and Kai are in town.
Review by Andrew Walters
Whereas last year, we spent the evening getting to know our two Strictly stars and their own individual stories, this year they have chosen to take us backstage and give us a taste of the creative process. From the very beginning, this is a fast-moving dance spectacular.
Behind The Magic is split into 5 sections in each half. Kai enters first through video screens at the back, looking suave in his ‘top hat & tails’ outfit, followed by Nadiya looking simply stunning, and it’s Lights, Music, Action! In a whirl of spinning dressing room tables, trunks and huge spotlights, we are off to Hollywood, with Kai, as Gene Kelly singing ( well…miming to a pre-recorded track) Gotta Dance which well and truly starts the show as it means to go on.
This opening section is so action packed, and there is so much to watch. As an audience member, you watch in awe at the speed of the movement, and wonder where they get their energy from.
A bit of comedy follows with an affectionate send up of the TV dance show itself, with 3 members of the audience being reluctantly pulled up on stage. One gentleman who joined in was non other than Kai’s very own father, Tommy. This was to have quite a bearing on what happened later in the show. Whilst I found this section a little bit clunky, it does give us the chance to get to know the 3 hard working professional dance couples who are onstage for much of the evening.
One of the most impressive aspects of this show is how versatile the dancers are. They perform such a variety of choreographic styles. Along with Nadiya and Kai, there are 8 dancers in all, plus one very talented singer/guitarist, Thomas Wolstenhume, who sings many covers with great vocals, making each number his own, with a very attractive presence that never upstages the dancers.
The first half builds to a tribute to Choreographic Genius. Firstly, continuing the Hollywood Theme, we have Nadiya & Kai as Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers dancing Cheek to Cheek. Then a hat stand appears, with each dancer holding a top hat and cane, and it’s Fosse time. The lighting here is so spectacular, with strong spots lighting each dancer. For a touring show, so much attention has gone into the design, to give us a show that is dazzling to watch. Full credit has to go to the entire creative team.
A final section devoted to Michael Jackson brings the first half to an end. Exhausted? That’s only the end of the first half!
The second half lifts off with a Fashion Show, featuring a catwalk. Nadiya tells us how she particularly enjoys this part, especially as she takes to the stage in the famous white Marilyn Monroe dress; which in a real theatrical coup, extends right out to the corners of the stage, when each dancer takes hold of a corner.
We then have a Ballroom section, Music Makers; and a finale devoted to the time-honoured theme that The Show Must Go On.
It is impossible to overstate how talented every member of this company works. The pace never slackens for a second. On a very warm evening, everyone on stage looked cool and effortless. Lightning costume changes happen throughout. That would be enough to tire anyone out, but these dancers never slacken.
At the helm, Nadiya looks a million dollars throughout. That old adage, that gentlemen sweat and ladies perspire simply does not apply. She just does not have a hair out of place, and is a simply breathtaking dancer. Meanwhile Kai, who particularly suits those classic Hollywood routines, wearing the full tuxedo with white waistcoat, is as light as air on his feet, with killer smile melting every heart in the audience. He is clearly a firm favourite with every lady, and, yes, me too!
Towards the end, they both pay tribute to their families, and it was at this point that Kai became very emotional. He tells us that at the age of 12, he faced a crossroads in his life. He had been training to be a footballer, following in the footsteps of his dad, but instead decided to follow his passion to dance, with his father’s full blessing. Having his father, Tommy Widdrington, in the audience proved overwhelming for Kai and the tears flowed, providing a very moving climax to the evening, which had the entire packed crowd on their feet. The company looked delighted that their latest visit to Southend had been so well received. What a night!
The tour may be over for this year, but DO NOT MISS your chance to see them next time Nadiya and Kai are in town.
Review by Andrew Walters
After the great success of their critically acclaimed debut tour ‘Once Upon A Time’, dance stars Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington have announced they will be touring the UK again throughout June 2024 with their brand new show ‘Behind The Magic’.
The 25-date tour will begin in Gateshead on 1st June and end in Southampton on 30th June, and includes a date at London’s Peacock Theatre on 23rd June.
Tickets on sale NOW available from all of the tour’s venues, ticketmaster.co.uk and nadiyaandkai.com
During Nadiya and Kai’s debut tour, the Strictly Come Dancing professionals shared personal stories from their journey through the world of dance; from their childhood memories, competition days, dancing on Strictly and beyond. Combining heartfelt stories with stunning choreography, audiences across the country were given an insight into their respective roads to success and a glimpse into the real life couple’s fairytale romance.
For Behind The Magic, Nadiya and Kai, backed by their incredibly talented cast of singers and dancers, invite audiences back into their world to catch a rare insider’s glimpse into how all ‘the magic’ comes together.
From TV shows to commercial campaigns, photoshoots to live tours, they will be taking us behind the lens to see things from a very different perspective, highlighting the influence of some of the greatest legends, creatives and artists of the 20th century, whose impact is still felt today among some of the most successful contemporary artists.
Nadiya said, “I cannot wait for everyone to see our new show. It is so exciting to be able to throw a lifetime of my thoughts, visions and dreams into ‘Behind The Magic’ and to create something unique and inspiring with the most talented and incredible people”.
Kai added, “Starring in ‘Once Upon A Time’, our first headline tour, was the realisation of a lifelong dream for both Nadiya and I, a real career highlight. Now we get the chance to do it all over again next summer with our new show ‘Behind The Magic’. We cannot wait to get back on stage together and entertain our fans once more, and to be able to bring the curtain down in my hometown of Southampton will be the icing on the cake.”
Nadiya & Kai’s ‘Behind The Magic’ will play the following dates:
2024 UK TOUR
1 June Gateshead Sage
2 June Glasgow Pavilion
4 June Edinburgh Festival Theatre
5 June Aberdeen Music Hall
6 June Perth Concert Hall
7 June Inverness Eden Court
9 June Scunthorpe Bath Halls
11 June Billingham Forum
12 June Buxton Opera House
13 June Malvern Malvern Theatres
14 June York Barbican
15 June Rhyl Pavilion
16 June Cardiff New Theatre
18 June Ipswich Regent
19 June Chatham Central Theatre
20 June Leicester De Montfort Hall
22 June Bath Forum
23 June London Peacock Theatre (on sale 3rd November)
24 June Birmingham Symphony Hall
25 June Manchester Bridgewater
26 June Canterbury Marlowe Theatre (on sale 27th November)
27 June Southend Cliffs Pavilion
28 June St Albans Arena
29 June Reading Hexagon
30 June Southampton Mayflower (on sale 8th November)
The 25-date tour will begin in Gateshead on 1st June and end in Southampton on 30th June, and includes a date at London’s Peacock Theatre on 23rd June.
Tickets on sale NOW available from all of the tour’s venues, ticketmaster.co.uk and nadiyaandkai.com
During Nadiya and Kai’s debut tour, the Strictly Come Dancing professionals shared personal stories from their journey through the world of dance; from their childhood memories, competition days, dancing on Strictly and beyond. Combining heartfelt stories with stunning choreography, audiences across the country were given an insight into their respective roads to success and a glimpse into the real life couple’s fairytale romance.
For Behind The Magic, Nadiya and Kai, backed by their incredibly talented cast of singers and dancers, invite audiences back into their world to catch a rare insider’s glimpse into how all ‘the magic’ comes together.
From TV shows to commercial campaigns, photoshoots to live tours, they will be taking us behind the lens to see things from a very different perspective, highlighting the influence of some of the greatest legends, creatives and artists of the 20th century, whose impact is still felt today among some of the most successful contemporary artists.
Nadiya said, “I cannot wait for everyone to see our new show. It is so exciting to be able to throw a lifetime of my thoughts, visions and dreams into ‘Behind The Magic’ and to create something unique and inspiring with the most talented and incredible people”.
Kai added, “Starring in ‘Once Upon A Time’, our first headline tour, was the realisation of a lifelong dream for both Nadiya and I, a real career highlight. Now we get the chance to do it all over again next summer with our new show ‘Behind The Magic’. We cannot wait to get back on stage together and entertain our fans once more, and to be able to bring the curtain down in my hometown of Southampton will be the icing on the cake.”
Nadiya & Kai’s ‘Behind The Magic’ will play the following dates:
2024 UK TOUR
1 June Gateshead Sage
2 June Glasgow Pavilion
4 June Edinburgh Festival Theatre
5 June Aberdeen Music Hall
6 June Perth Concert Hall
7 June Inverness Eden Court
9 June Scunthorpe Bath Halls
11 June Billingham Forum
12 June Buxton Opera House
13 June Malvern Malvern Theatres
14 June York Barbican
15 June Rhyl Pavilion
16 June Cardiff New Theatre
18 June Ipswich Regent
19 June Chatham Central Theatre
20 June Leicester De Montfort Hall
22 June Bath Forum
23 June London Peacock Theatre (on sale 3rd November)
24 June Birmingham Symphony Hall
25 June Manchester Bridgewater
26 June Canterbury Marlowe Theatre (on sale 27th November)
27 June Southend Cliffs Pavilion
28 June St Albans Arena
29 June Reading Hexagon
30 June Southampton Mayflower (on sale 8th November)