Last week was a very special week for the British Broadcasting Corporation (the BBC), as BBC1 turned 100 years old, and what better way to celebrate than with a 100-year-old dance like the Charleston. From a Doctor Who inspired Tango to a Cha Cha Cha set to the Grandstand Theme- this trip down memory lane really did treat us to everything imaginable and in amongst all this nostalgia, were two Charleston Routines! Both dances have received mixed opinions from both the audience and the judges, but which was your favourite?
The choreographer behind both of these amazing dances was Jenny Thomas and her assistant Sean Moon. The routines that they created for both couples really captured what the Charleston is all about and included a great mixture of classic Charleston steps and trick moves; overall producing two routines of which were extremely fun to watch. I would also highly recommend checking out Jenny’s Instagram to find out more about the making of these routines.
First up, we have CBBC Blue Peter Presenter Helen Skelton and professional partner Gorka Marquez who opened the show with a highly entertaining Charleston set to the Blue Peter Theme Tune.
Watch their full routine here:
The routine opens with both Helen and Gorka setting the scene in a replica of the ‘Creation Station’ which is part of the CBBC show Blue Peter.
After a few bars of music, the pair skip into the centre of the stage and immediately break into, Fall off the Logs, Kicks and a variation of Arm Tutting. At 0:31, Gorka proceeds to flip Helen over his shoulder, which is shortly followed by a further, complex Lift. Later on in the routine, the audience are greeted with a perfectly synchronised basic Charleston step and Truckin’.
It is clear that both Helen and Gorka are both fully immersed in this routine as they go onto complete some complex, ‘Ball-Ography’ which Motsi thought was, “High, high-level choreography.” At 0:54, Helen’s confidence skyrockets as she dances a solo piece consisting of, Scarecrows, Kicks and Flicks and a Jazz Square (also known as a Box Step), which left one critic stating that, “[They] almost forgot Gorka was there!” The couple then come together for a quick partnered sequence before diving into Tick Tocks, further Tutting, and another Lift, shortly followed by a comedic sketch of Tug-of-War- adding further elements of hilarity for the audience.
They then had just enough for a few skips and kicks before running back to the starting positions to produce a (very life like) handmade model of the Judging panel.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this Charleston routine. Although the choice of song is not a traditional Charleston Tune, (or a dance tune at all for that matter), I think they managed to encapsulate and maintain what the Charleston is all about. I feel Helen really came into her own during this dance and her energy, bounce and characterisation could not be faulted as she gave 100% right through the very end.
As a result, the Judge’s comments were full of complimentary praise. Head Judge Shirley Ballas could not contain her excitement as she exclaimed that, “[She] should remain standing for [Helen] because that was absolutely outstanding” and Anton thought, “This was [their] best dance to date!”
When talking to Claudia, Helen stated that this was a come-full-circle moment for her, and it was a “Privilege to bring joy and excitement to [our] screens.”
Due to their performance being a huge success with the Judges, Helen and Gorka received their first 9s of the series and swivelled their way to success with their score of 35; therefore, finding themselves joint top of the leader board with Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal.
Scores:
Craig Revel Horwood - 8
Motsi Mabuse – 9
Shirley Ballas – 9
Anton Du Beke – 9
MyCharleston – 8
Next up we have Comedian Jayde Adams and her professional partner Karen Hauer who danced the second Charleston of the night to, ‘The Ballad Of Barry and Freda’ as a tribute to the late icon, Victoria Wood.
Watch their full routine here:
The routine opens with the pair huddled around a piano where Jayde begins to sing the opening lines of the Ballad. For a few seconds following this, Jayde adopts the role of puppet-master and bounces Karen up and down- further establishing the comedic tone. This then smoothly transitions into a series of Walks, Silly Runs, Tick Tocks, and a quick Shimmy.
At 0:48, the pair then come together for a brief section in hold before launching into a sequence of Basic Charleston Swivels, Cake Walks, Pushes, an Assisted Cartwheel, and a Side-to-Side Charleston. This is quickly followed by further comedy presented in the form of lifts; therefore, bringing the cheeky elements of the Charleston (that we all know and love) to the forefront of the routine.
Karen then has just enough time for a quick forward roll before Jayde lifts her into their final position. By this point, the audience and the other contestants have erupted into a cacophony of applause for the pair.
Although this was not the best technically, I thought this routine was very effective from a comedic perspective. It is clear that Jayde upholds the ability to maintain high levels of characterisation throughout the dance which is fantastic to watch. One critic picked up on this and felt, “It was a celebration of comedy and a well-timed jazzy slapstick.” However, it also has to be noted that others felt differently as another critic stated that, “[Jayde was] overmarked and has a very stompy and laboured swivel.”
Due to this, there were very mixed opinions from the Judges also, with Head Judge Shirley wanting more fluidity between each step with, “Less moving from side to side.” Despite the fact that Anton loved how, “She can pick up the character in any style of dance” and, “fundamentally as a number [he] really enjoyed it,” he also felt, “Many of the Charleston elements [needed] a bit of work.”
Unfortunately, Jayde and Karen found themselves in the dreaded dance off alongside Singer and CBBC Star Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu. However, despite them giving it their all and Motsi stating they were, “The couple to beat on Saturday,” Jayde and Karen just missed out on a spot in next week’s Halloween special.
In her leaving speech, it became apparent just how much of an impact this dancing experience has had on Jayde as she went on to state, “Nothing can hold a candle to the way this show is run […] it has been an absolute pleasure to learn so much and be so well looked after.” Which further highlights the positive impact that dance can have on an individual level and as a collective.
Scores:
Craig Revel Horwood - 6
Motsi Mabuse – 7
Shirley Ballas – 7
Anton Du Beke – 8
MyCharleston – 6
By: Eleanor O’Donnell