REVIEW
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
Legends of the Dancefloor
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend
24th September 2025
with Matinee & Evening Performances
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
Legends of the Dancefloor
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend
24th September 2025
with Matinee & Evening Performances
Legends of the Dancefloor is definitely one for the hardcore Strictly Come Dancing fans and those of whom were around 21 years ago (can you believe it's been on that long?) when the show first burst on to our tv’s and the dancers all became household names over night. If this sounds like you, then the five Legends' names, who are currently burning the dance floors of UK theatres right now will quite possibly be lodged in your memories. If you think Strictly has a reputation for a little naughtiness between the dancers now, these guys delight in giving you the lowdown on how it all began back in their day!
Brendan Cole, James Jordan, Pasha Kovalev, Vincent Simone and Ian Waite, I think it’s fair to say, all have a bit of reputation as being the bad boys of Strictly and, as well as proving that they still have what it takes in showing off some seriously impressive dance moves, they also bring a huge sense of fun to the stage and a lot of the laughs are due to them taking the odd snipe at the Strictly producers and filling the audience in on the reasons their wrists were slapped back in the day. Everything is, of course, in jest and good humour and they also make it very clear that without Strictly, there would be no way they would be in the position to create the show that is Legends of the Dancefloor. Such is the popularity of the show, this is the second time around and fans will be elated to discover that they have already been booked up for a third round next year.
The main reason the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend was almost filled to the brim with ladies of a certain age, is because the five dancers all seem to have their own individual fan clubs and it’s lovely to get a chance to hear about how they all got into dancing in the first place, telling the audience their background stories that led them to the dance floor and essentially to Strictly Come Dancing. When they are all together though, they clearly have a blast chatting to the audience with lots of banter, some of it a little saucy..ok, a LOT of it a little saucy, but we do get to hear some good Strictly gossip from back in the day, but it’s all good fun and an evening of dance and laughter is clearly the mission here. They also reflect on how much Sir Bruce Forsyth and Len Goodman were so pivotal for the show's success and retell some fond memories of the pair.
If the guys don’t win you over with their hilarious chat, then you are guaranteed to be stunned into submission by the quality of dancing you get to witness throughout the evening. Vincent Simone proves that he still has what it takes as he whips his partner Victoria around the floor in a jaw dropping Argentine Tango and James Jordan shows that there’s still life in his 47 year old bones in an energetic jive with his partner, Polina. Ian Waite’s Pasa Doble with partner, Lowri, is a delight and Pasha Kovalev and Brendan Cole are still as handsome and cheeky as ever as they twirl their partners around the floor. I won’t even pretend that I am a ballroom dance expert, however, what I do know is that every single number is executed to a truly knock out standard and you really get a sense of just how good these professionals are as they glide over the stage with such speed and grace. It really does take your breath away. Cole and his partner, Alexandra, both dance so beautifully together; their Star is Born number is just mesmerising. Pasha and Julia also clearly have a great connection, not least in their Greatest Showman performance of Come Alive. The ‘dance off’ of the dancers performing as their favourite dancers is also a highlight, with Patrick Swayze and John Travolta taking on each other and then Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. Definitely something for everyone here. Can you guess who was who?
There’s a wonderfully eclectic mix of music to accompany each of the dance numbers, which caters for all musical tastes and the whole evening leaves you feeling as though you've been embraced in a big sparkly warm hug of dance and laughter.
We can’t wait to see what they come up with next time!
The tour continues..(see below)
Review: Kim Tobin
Brendan Cole, James Jordan, Pasha Kovalev, Vincent Simone and Ian Waite, I think it’s fair to say, all have a bit of reputation as being the bad boys of Strictly and, as well as proving that they still have what it takes in showing off some seriously impressive dance moves, they also bring a huge sense of fun to the stage and a lot of the laughs are due to them taking the odd snipe at the Strictly producers and filling the audience in on the reasons their wrists were slapped back in the day. Everything is, of course, in jest and good humour and they also make it very clear that without Strictly, there would be no way they would be in the position to create the show that is Legends of the Dancefloor. Such is the popularity of the show, this is the second time around and fans will be elated to discover that they have already been booked up for a third round next year.
The main reason the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend was almost filled to the brim with ladies of a certain age, is because the five dancers all seem to have their own individual fan clubs and it’s lovely to get a chance to hear about how they all got into dancing in the first place, telling the audience their background stories that led them to the dance floor and essentially to Strictly Come Dancing. When they are all together though, they clearly have a blast chatting to the audience with lots of banter, some of it a little saucy..ok, a LOT of it a little saucy, but we do get to hear some good Strictly gossip from back in the day, but it’s all good fun and an evening of dance and laughter is clearly the mission here. They also reflect on how much Sir Bruce Forsyth and Len Goodman were so pivotal for the show's success and retell some fond memories of the pair.
If the guys don’t win you over with their hilarious chat, then you are guaranteed to be stunned into submission by the quality of dancing you get to witness throughout the evening. Vincent Simone proves that he still has what it takes as he whips his partner Victoria around the floor in a jaw dropping Argentine Tango and James Jordan shows that there’s still life in his 47 year old bones in an energetic jive with his partner, Polina. Ian Waite’s Pasa Doble with partner, Lowri, is a delight and Pasha Kovalev and Brendan Cole are still as handsome and cheeky as ever as they twirl their partners around the floor. I won’t even pretend that I am a ballroom dance expert, however, what I do know is that every single number is executed to a truly knock out standard and you really get a sense of just how good these professionals are as they glide over the stage with such speed and grace. It really does take your breath away. Cole and his partner, Alexandra, both dance so beautifully together; their Star is Born number is just mesmerising. Pasha and Julia also clearly have a great connection, not least in their Greatest Showman performance of Come Alive. The ‘dance off’ of the dancers performing as their favourite dancers is also a highlight, with Patrick Swayze and John Travolta taking on each other and then Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. Definitely something for everyone here. Can you guess who was who?
There’s a wonderfully eclectic mix of music to accompany each of the dance numbers, which caters for all musical tastes and the whole evening leaves you feeling as though you've been embraced in a big sparkly warm hug of dance and laughter.
We can’t wait to see what they come up with next time!
The tour continues..(see below)
Review: Kim Tobin
Strictly Legends Return with Smash Hit Dance Show for 2025
Following their smash hit sell-out tour Legends of The Dance Floor in 2024, Strictly Come Dancing legends Brendan Cole, James Jordan, Pasha Kovalev, Vincent Simone and Ian Waite have announced an even bigger tour for 2025: The Return Of The Legends.
It was a wonder no one thought of it before. All household names, all Strictly favourites, all kings of the ballroom, yet before last year’s Legends Of The Dance Floor tour Brendan, James, Pasha, Vincent and Ian had never performed together as professionals on one stage – but from the moment the tour was announced it quickly became the hottest dance show ticket in town.
To meet phenomenal demand, all five stars will reunite for The Return Of The Legends tour. It is going to be twice as big for 2025, with the show’s 36 performances (with more to be announced) starting on 5th September in Cambridge and ending in Truro on 17th October, including a date The London Palladium on 25th September.
Tickets will go on sale from 10.00am on Monday 3rd March, available from all venues and via www.legendsofthedancefloor.com.
Acknowledged as one of the best and most entertaining Strictly-related dance shows ever produced, Strictly Come Dancing’s Head Judge Shirley Ballas gave Legends of The Dance Floor the ultimate endorsement, described it as, “By far one of the funniest shows that I’ve ever seen in my life – a great evening out.”
Amongst their countless Strictly highlights, Vincent mesmerised with his tango moves, Pasha appeared in three finals (winning one), Ian dazzled with his Pasa Doble, James’s ballroom skills and larger-than-life personality made him a Saturday night favourite and Brendan, of course, never shied away from telling the judges what he really thought whilst remaining one of the show’s most popular pros.
Now, performing world-class Latin, ballroom, tango, rumba and so much more, the Strictly legends are coming to a theatre near you, with Brendan, James, Pasha, Vincent and Ian promising to share more stories from their illustrious careers and paying tribute to their dance icons, while never failing to remind us exactly why they became our Legends of The Dance Floor!
James Jordan: "Last year’s Legends tour was a life-changing experience, reigniting a passion for dance I thought was lost. The energy, artistry, and camaraderie reminded me why I fell in love with dance. I’m deeply grateful to the exceptional team and talent behind it. I can’t wait to bring that same energy and legacy to new audiences on the upcoming tour."
Brendan Cole: “I’m so happy that all five of us are returning for the new Return Of The Legends show this year. The success of last year’s tour was a wonderful experience to be a part of - and it’s hugely exciting to be able to bring the show to so many more towns and cities across the UK.”
Pasha Kovalev: “Working with my best friends on the Legends of The Dance show was such a joy. We gave it everything, so to see the audiences’ reaction in sold-out theatres night after night...it doesn’t get better than that. See you there.”
Vincent Simone: “This year’s Return Of The Legends tour promises to be the most magical evening, with brand new stories and more incredible choreography. And, don’t forget, out of all the Legends, I’m the best!”
Ian Waite: “I can’t begin to describe just how much fun we all had on tour last year, so to do it bigger and better for 2025 is just fantastic. And, of course, we get to perform again with our incredible female dance partners, who quite rightly received their own standing ovation every single night.”
Following their smash hit sell-out tour Legends of The Dance Floor in 2024, Strictly Come Dancing legends Brendan Cole, James Jordan, Pasha Kovalev, Vincent Simone and Ian Waite have announced an even bigger tour for 2025: The Return Of The Legends.
It was a wonder no one thought of it before. All household names, all Strictly favourites, all kings of the ballroom, yet before last year’s Legends Of The Dance Floor tour Brendan, James, Pasha, Vincent and Ian had never performed together as professionals on one stage – but from the moment the tour was announced it quickly became the hottest dance show ticket in town.
To meet phenomenal demand, all five stars will reunite for The Return Of The Legends tour. It is going to be twice as big for 2025, with the show’s 36 performances (with more to be announced) starting on 5th September in Cambridge and ending in Truro on 17th October, including a date The London Palladium on 25th September.
Tickets will go on sale from 10.00am on Monday 3rd March, available from all venues and via www.legendsofthedancefloor.com.
Acknowledged as one of the best and most entertaining Strictly-related dance shows ever produced, Strictly Come Dancing’s Head Judge Shirley Ballas gave Legends of The Dance Floor the ultimate endorsement, described it as, “By far one of the funniest shows that I’ve ever seen in my life – a great evening out.”
Amongst their countless Strictly highlights, Vincent mesmerised with his tango moves, Pasha appeared in three finals (winning one), Ian dazzled with his Pasa Doble, James’s ballroom skills and larger-than-life personality made him a Saturday night favourite and Brendan, of course, never shied away from telling the judges what he really thought whilst remaining one of the show’s most popular pros.
Now, performing world-class Latin, ballroom, tango, rumba and so much more, the Strictly legends are coming to a theatre near you, with Brendan, James, Pasha, Vincent and Ian promising to share more stories from their illustrious careers and paying tribute to their dance icons, while never failing to remind us exactly why they became our Legends of The Dance Floor!
James Jordan: "Last year’s Legends tour was a life-changing experience, reigniting a passion for dance I thought was lost. The energy, artistry, and camaraderie reminded me why I fell in love with dance. I’m deeply grateful to the exceptional team and talent behind it. I can’t wait to bring that same energy and legacy to new audiences on the upcoming tour."
Brendan Cole: “I’m so happy that all five of us are returning for the new Return Of The Legends show this year. The success of last year’s tour was a wonderful experience to be a part of - and it’s hugely exciting to be able to bring the show to so many more towns and cities across the UK.”
Pasha Kovalev: “Working with my best friends on the Legends of The Dance show was such a joy. We gave it everything, so to see the audiences’ reaction in sold-out theatres night after night...it doesn’t get better than that. See you there.”
Vincent Simone: “This year’s Return Of The Legends tour promises to be the most magical evening, with brand new stories and more incredible choreography. And, don’t forget, out of all the Legends, I’m the best!”
Ian Waite: “I can’t begin to describe just how much fun we all had on tour last year, so to do it bigger and better for 2025 is just fantastic. And, of course, we get to perform again with our incredible female dance partners, who quite rightly received their own standing ovation every single night.”
The full list of dates for The Return Of The Legends tour is as follows (*indicates additional matinee performance):
24th Sept Southend Cliffs Pavilion*
25th Sept London London Palladium
26th Sept Sheffield City Hall
30th Sept Aberdeen Music Hall (on sale 24th March)
1st Oct Perth Concert Hall
2nd Oct Carlisle Sands Centre
3rd Oct Newcastle O2 City Hall
4th Oct Watford Colosseum
5th Oct Birmingham Symphony Hall
6th Oct Warwick Arts Centre (on sale 24th March)
8th Oct Buxton Opera House
9th Oct Bath Forum Theatre
10th Oct Cardiff New Theatre
11th Oct Northampton Derngate Theatre
12th Oct Stockton Globe Theatre
13th Oct Leicester De Montfort Hall
14th Oct Oxford New Theatre
15th Oct Guildford G Live
17th Oct Truro Hall for Cornwall* (on sale 24th March)
www.legendsofthedancefloor.com
https://www.instagram.com/legendsdancefloor
https://www.facebook.com/LegendsDanceFloor
https://twitter.com/legendsdf
24th Sept Southend Cliffs Pavilion*
25th Sept London London Palladium
26th Sept Sheffield City Hall
30th Sept Aberdeen Music Hall (on sale 24th March)
1st Oct Perth Concert Hall
2nd Oct Carlisle Sands Centre
3rd Oct Newcastle O2 City Hall
4th Oct Watford Colosseum
5th Oct Birmingham Symphony Hall
6th Oct Warwick Arts Centre (on sale 24th March)
8th Oct Buxton Opera House
9th Oct Bath Forum Theatre
10th Oct Cardiff New Theatre
11th Oct Northampton Derngate Theatre
12th Oct Stockton Globe Theatre
13th Oct Leicester De Montfort Hall
14th Oct Oxford New Theatre
15th Oct Guildford G Live
17th Oct Truro Hall for Cornwall* (on sale 24th March)
www.legendsofthedancefloor.com
https://www.instagram.com/legendsdancefloor
https://www.facebook.com/LegendsDanceFloor
https://twitter.com/legendsdf