Published: 30 November 2024
Introduction
This Saturday, 30 November, the Strictly Come Dancing Musicals Week special takes centre stage on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Our professionals kick off the show with a number from Little Shop of Horrors, setting the tone for an evening filled with musical magic. Our couples will then perform routines inspired by some of the most beloved musicals across the decades.Chris McCausland & Dianne Buswell
Did you take part in your high school musical/play? Dianne has been in two musicals - Rock of Ages and Legally Blonde - while on a New York based cruise ship contract. Chris, on the other hand, doesn't do auditions as he's quite niche. Dianne and Chris share their go-to feel-good show tunes. Dianne loves Des’ree - Life, while Chris is a fan of The Greatest Showman, especially after performing with Keala Settle in an empty Royal Albert Hall. They also discuss the most emotional moment of their Strictly journey - their first dance. Dianne and Chris share tactics to calm their nerves before live shows, with Chris focusing on having fun and Dianne dealing with Chris's choreography changes.JB Gill & Lauren Oakley
JB's earliest memory of seeing a musical is The Lion King. Lauren grew up watching movie musicals and her earliest live memory is Cats. JB was involved in The Hot Mikado in high school and played the Mikado. Lauren was Mary in the nativity and also played Magical Mr. Mistoffelees in Cats. JB would love to step into The Lion King role for a day, while Lauren dreams of being Velma Kelly in Chicago. They share their worst auditions - JB with JLS and Wicked. Their go-to feel-good show tunes are A Whole New World from Aladdin for JB and You Can’t Stop the Beat from Hairspray for Lauren. The most emotional moment for JB was Couple’s Choice week, while for Lauren it was the high scores in Couple’s Choice. They stick to their pre-show tactics of positive affirmations and prayer.Montell Douglas & Johannes Radebe
Montell's earliest memory of a theatre show is The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre in 2009. Johannes's first musical was Chicago in New York. Montell was in Guys and Dolls in secondary school and played Lieutenant Brannigan. Johannes was the only artist among his peers. Montell would love to be Lola in Kinky Boots, while Johannes's go-to feel-good show tune is From Now On from The Greatest Showman. The most emotional moment for Montell was meeting Johannes, and for Johannes it was finishing the Viennese Waltz. They both rely on laughter to calm their nerves.Pete Wicks & Jowita Przystal
Pete's earliest memory of a musical is watching a YouTube routine for Musicals Week. He would love to be Scar from The Lion King or Bill Sykes from Oliver. Jowita had a bad audition for Oliver at age eight. Pete's go-to feel-good show tune is Dancing In the Moonlight by Toploader, while Jowita loves Moulin Rouge. Their most emotional moment was their Couple’s Choice. They share a unique pre-show ritual of touching toes. Pete thinks Wynne or Jamie is most likely to break out into song, while Jowita suggests JB. Pete's director's note is "Smile more."Sarah Hadland & Vito Coppola
Sarah's earliest memory is seeing 42nd Street at Drury Lane with her dad. Vito's first musical was Grease in the UK. Sarah was Snow White and the White Lady in primary school and had a bad audition for Starlight Express. Vito was a donkey in a school musical and had a traumatic first competition. Their go-to feel-good show tunes are Grease for Vito and Light At The End Of The Tunnel for Sarah. The most emotional moment was Birds of a Feather. Before dancing, they synchronize their breath. Sarah thinks Jamie is most likely to break out into song, and Vito's director's note is "Don't be too loud."Tasha Ghouri & Aljaž Škorjanec
Tasha's earliest memory is The Lion King on the West End. Aljaž's is Wicked in London. Tasha was an angel in the nativity and played a little triangle. Aljaž didn't have a high school musical experience. Tasha would love to be Glinda from Wicked, and Aljaž wants to play Roxie Hart in Chicago. Their go-to feel-good show tunes are You Will Be Found from Dear Evan Hansen for Tasha and The Hills Are Alive from The Sound of Music for Aljaž. The most emotional moment was getting their first 40. They have a pre-show chat and step on the floor together. Aljaž thinks Carlos is most likely to break out into song, and Tasha sometimes sings too.New
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