Strictly Review: Molly Rainford & Carlos Gu

Last Friday, Musical’s week blessed our TV screens, and we were treated to a jam-packed evening featuring some of the nations favourite Musicals. From an iconic Sally Bowles, Cabaret-esque inspired Couple’s Choice to a Samba to ‘They Live In You,’ from the Lion Kind- they had it all.

On Saturday, CBBC Star Molly Rainford and professional partner Carlos Gu opened the show with an awe-inspiring Charleston number to, “Hot Honey Rag,” from Chicago.

Watch their Full Routine Here:

However, despite the couple swivelling their way towards the top end of the leader board with their highest score yet, there has been an uproar across the Strictly fandom over their scores from judges Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke. Even though the other two judges whipped out their 10 paddles, Craig and Anton decided not to put theirs to good use.

Do you think the couple deserved the 10s or are you more in agreement with Craig and Anton? Let’s take a closer look as to why many felt they deserved top marks.

The routine opens with Molly Rainford and professional dancer Lauren Oakley playing the roles of Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly- therefore perfectly encapsulating the scene in which this routine was inspired by. After a few moments of applying makeup, the pair run out from behind a mock-up stage curtain and swivel out towards the centre of the Ballroom. Carlos, then, strides out across the floor to greet Molly, where they then break into a sequence of Basic 1920s Charleston Swivels, Helicopters, Tick Tocks, and then dive straight into their first trick move.

Immediately following this, they then go into a section in hold where Bunny Hops, Truckin’, and a Side-to-Side Charleston are completed with apparent ease. The pair then come together for a nerve-wracking lift and leaving the audience whooping with delight with one critic commenting on how, “Molly has seriously improved technically since week one.”

Later on in the routine, further Basic Charlestons are danced in hold and used to pivot and change direction- a difficult move to master (especially with only having four days’ worth of training).

Furthermore, just when the audience thought there could not be room for anymore Charleston content, the couple complete a sequence of 30s Charlestons, Check your Nails, Flapper Walks, Spank the Babies, and Squat Charlestons at immense speed.

The pair then sprint towards the back of the Ballroom and have just enough time to complete a brief sequence of Hand-ography (Jazz Hands which were perfectly in time with the music), and a quick Cartwheel before Carlos spins Molly into their final position- igniting a cacophony of noise of the audience.

The choreographer behind this amazing dance was Jenny Thomas and her assistant Sean Moon. The routine that they created for Molly and Carlos really captured the authenticity of the Charleston and took the audience on a journey through the bright lights of Jazzy Chicago. The choreography included a great mixture of classic Charleston steps and trick moves; overall producing a brilliant, original Charleston routine of which was extremely fun to watch. I would also highly recommend checking out Jenny’s Instagram to find out more about the making of this routine.

For me, I thoroughly enjoyed watching this routine and, like many others, was shocked by the fact that they were in the bottom two yet again. Molly’s energy and characterisation could not be faulted as she kept it up and gave 100% right through the very end. I thought each move was well-executed which made for a clean, stylish, and synchronised piece. It is clear that I was not alone in thinking this as one critic felt, “It [was] undermarked and underappreciated” and another thought it was, “Hard to tell the difference between [Molly] and the other professionals.”

Due to this, the response from the judges was overall very positive and full of high complimentary praise. Head Judge Shirley exclaimed how, “[She] was not expecting that” as it was, “Absolute perfection!” Motsi was also in agreement as she ecstatically stated that, “[Molly] was a shining star.” Craig, however, could not resist in giving a little criticism as he felt her, “Elbow was a little low for, [his liking],” but even he felt it was a “Transformation,” as “This was the first time [he’s] seen [Molly] with full power and energy.”

Even though the couple ended the evening in the bottom two and in the dance off with their high score of 38, they managed to swivel their way through and keep their place in the competition, therefore securing their place in the Semi-Finals.

Scores:

Craig Revel Horwood – 9

Motsi Mabuse – 10

Shirley Ballas – 10

Anton Du Beke – 9

MyCharleston – 10

By: Eleanor O’Donnell