THEY’RE no strangers to the Strictly dance floor - and a couple of them have even won the glitter ball trophy.
Now Strictly Come Dancing alumni Brendan Cole, James Jordan, Pasha Kovalev, Vincent Simone and Ian Waite are heading out on tour with a new dance spectacular - Vegas: After Hours.
After two hit tours - Legends of The Dance Floor and The Return of The Legends - this production brings the five former Strictly pros back together in a spectacular show capturing the ’glitz, glamour and excitement of Las Vegas, where the dance floor never sleeps!’
Neon lights and electric nights, roulette tables spinning, glamorous showgirls, dazzling casinos, desert sunsets, lavish pool parties, whirlwind weddings, iconic hotels and world-class entertainment, Vegas: After Hours captures it all.
The show captures the 'dazzling casinos and desert sunsets' of Vegas. (Image: Image submitted)
“We are the Rat Pack of dance, and we’re going to have a Vegas-style party. It’s going to be a riot,” says Brendan Cole.
Performing in a theatre setting, says James Jordan, is very different from dancing on TV: “When I was on Strictly, I had admiration for the other professional dancers but to be honest I was more concerned about how I was performing. It’s completely different when the five of us are on tour together. We’re so close, we have so much fun.
“We’re all either side of 50 now,” adds James, 48. “I struggle with my body, particularly my back, shoulder, hips and knees. I’ve had lots of surgical procedures. But I’d say Ian, who’s 55, is in better shape now than when he was on Strictly.”
He says the appeal of the show is “audience nostalgia. I can’t count the number of times people say to us that they wish we were still on Strictly. That’s why they keep coming back to see us.”
Vincent Simone has never stopped dancing. “It’s in my DNA,” he says.”But did I think the tour with the four other professionals would be such a success? Honestly, no. Talk to the audience at the stage door after the show and you’re not left in any doubt. They loved us on Strictly and they love us today.”
There are group dances and solo numbers in the show. Vincent’s speciality is the Argentine tango. Any problems with maintaining fitness levels? “The way I see it, dancing is the best workout ever. The most demanding element of the tour isn’t the dancing; it’s the travel. But you forget all that when you step on stage: you come alive,” he says.
The show’s music is from stars who’ve appeared in Vegas down the years, from Celine Dion and Elton John to Elvis and Frank Sinatra.
Supprting Pasha Kovalev in the audience for some shows will be his wife, Countdown maths whiz Rachel Riley - the couple met on Strictly - and their daughters, aged six and three. “They love to watch Daddy dance, and I love seeing them enjoying themselves in the audience,” says Pasha.
“To be on our third tour three years in a row feel special,” says Ian Waite, “The chemistry between the five of us gets better with each show.’ He’s particularly looking forward to his solo spot dancing to the music of Sammy Davis Jr: “I’ll be dancing a quickstep and a slow dramatic waltz. I’m in my mid-50s and yes, I’m fit but I thought I’d be sitting on a beach somewhere by this stage. Mind you, Anton Du Beke is five years older than me and he’s still dancing.”
Ian, who last appeared on Strictly in 2009, runs a company, FitSteps, with former professional Natalie Lowe, with over 800 instructors taking classes nationwide. “I take one class a week near where I live. I love it. It keeps me in touch, keeps me fit,” he says.
He’s also been a regular on Dancing with the Stars in Australia for the last three years: “I won it with my celebrity partner two years ago, 20 years after my first year on Strictly. It was a full circle moment.”
Brendan Cole always knew the Legends tour had legs: “If people liked us on Strictly, it makes sense they want to see us perform on stage. And we’re much better able to demonstrate our different personalities. I think audiences feel they get to know us in much more depth.”
Brendan is looking forward to dancing the rumba and the paso doble: “I like the romantic and emotional dances.” And the music? “Let’s just say a few epic James Bond film themes might be involved. This tour promises to be the raunchiest yet.”
He’s 50 now. Did he think he’d still be performing at this age? “The arrogant part of me says yes. But then, I think we’re all very good at what we do. The point is we’re having a ball on stage and that comes over the footlights into the audience who bounce the enthusiasm back to us.”
l Vegas: After Hours. is at St George’s Hall on November 5. Call (01274) 432000 or visit bradford-theatres.co.uk