Image credited to Tam Flickr account
Cha-cha-chaing all over the nation, from Bournemouth to Birmingham, Belfast to Basingstoke, the ‘King and Queen’ of the ballroom Anton Du Beke and Erin Boag are back and ready to entertain you. With a show that promises ‘sensational choreography, sassy tunes and sparkling costumes’ Anton and Erin are the perfect cure for the January Blues. It may have to be wellies instead of court shoes, but it will certainly be worth braving the Arctic chill to experience this extravaganza of Hollywood glitz and glamour. Opening tomorrow night in Northampton at the Royal and Derngate Theatre, the show will tour throughout the country until 29th March visiting over 30 venues.
This tour marks the eighteenth anniversary of Erin and Anton’s partnership, which began in 1997 when the couple won the New Zealand Championships. In 2002 they turned professional and quickly became a household name as Strictly Come Dancing’s longest serving professional dancers. In fact, Erin only left the show at the end of 2012 in order to have her first child. As a result of her pregnancy she was also unable to accompany Anton on tour last year; instead his show Ballroom to Broadway featured West End actress Summer Strallen. For their sixth tour however, the royal couple have been reunited for another spectacular performance jam packed with show tunes, quick steps and glitter.
Amongst the classic showbiz numbers will be songs from musicals such as Annie’s Get Your Gun, Singin’ in the Rain and Easter Parade, which is currently the focus of a workshop led by Sheridan Smith that if successful could result in the launch of the musical as a full-scale West End production. Anton and Erin will be accompanied by the London Concert Orchestra, conducted by Richard Balcombe. Their programme will also feature the eminent Lance Ellington, but it seems this year Erin has finally managed to take the spotlight from Anton and will be entertaining audiences with her voice as well as her feet.
In 2013 Erin and Anton Go To Hollywood sold out, and if these tantalising glimpses of the programme is anything to go by this year’s tour will soon be fully booked. In Anton’s own words ‘If I wasn’t in it, I’d definitely watch it’, this is a must-see! Erin and Anton are not the only Strictly stars on tour this spring however, so don’t forget to also check out Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace’s show Dance ‘til Dawn or Brendan Cole’s A Night to Remember.