A mania for ballroom moves has swept the land in the wake of popular television. Capitalising on the trend, a no less august body than the Coliseum is now show-casing the talents of Strictly come Dancing stars Anton du Beke and Erin Boag. Devotees of Vegas glamour and big band sounds will be in heaven, but those of a less fanatical disposition must expect the populist: this is cabaret entertainment for the small screen. Whilst there is too much chatter and sing-song for my taste (Richard Shelton, timorous at first, making a passable, if over-exposed fist of Sinatra), interludes of nifty foot-work are easy on the eye, and the London Concert Orchestra swings through golden oldies in contagious glee. My companion - a fan of the original series - was much taken with the flesh and blood celebrity-orientated programme and its aficionados. Among other familiar faces, confirmed bachelor Julian Clary, was in the audience to provide platonic support to the leading lady he once partnered.
     The show’s costumes are in the crowd-pleasing vaudeville tradition. Livid-hued some of the frocks might be, but even they were out-dazzled by the stars’ dentistry – rarely has one seen such preternaturally glittering teeth in the raw. Fred and Ginger they might not be, but du Beke and Boag relish skipping the light fandango - proving devils at the Foxtrot, assay a winsome Waltz (Viennese and ‘English’) and trip the Quick Step with practised enthusiasm. However, when it comes to Latin lovers, the candid coupling of diminutive Chris Marques and Jaclyn Spencer threatens to upstage them. They may not measure up to the poster-fresh symmetry of the top-billing couple, but boy do they sizzle and steam through Salsa and Samba and their tango is outstanding. This pocket Venus and her beau had genuine chemistry, a reminder that (in more innocent days) such routines were considered seditious, if not downright obscene.
     Seldom have a company of hoofers held their own in this venerable English opera house. Not necessarily to everyone’s taste, but a welcome tonic for the troops battling recession.
Caroline Kellett Fraysse