Strictly Charleston Review: Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin

With only a week to go until the Final of Strictly Come Dancing, last Saturday we were treated to not one, but two dance routines from each of the remaining couples. Amongst the many, it was Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin’s turn to take centre stage with a Charleston set to the tune “Fit as a Fiddle” by Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor.

Choreographed by Matt Flint, this routine came out on top with a perfect score of 40. It received high praise from both the audience and the judges; but was it your favourite routine of the evening?

Let’s delve a little deeper to find out why this Charleston captured the hearts of so many.

The routine opens with both Layon and Nikita dressed to the nines in their 1920s tartan suits, and perched on a orange ladder.

Nikita then rings a bell signifying the beginning of the routine, and the pair jump down just as the opening chords begin where they race back up the dancefloor to grab their second prop; the umbrella.

With some perfectly synchronised Umbrella-Ography, the pair launch into traditional 1920s Charleston Swivels. From this, Layon leaps into a box and begins to complete a series of further turns, spins, and a lift; which wows the onlooking audience.

Later on, at 0:42, both Layton and Nikita come together for another lift, where Layton dramatically mock falls to the floor, as they resume a re-enactment of a wheelbarrow. Rather impressively, Nikita flicks Layton over into a front flip, where he lands perfectly and completes further Charleston Swivels, Birdie Flaps, and a brief section of Chair-Ography.

At 1:11, the pair complete a swing-inspired partnered sequence, Birdie Walks, and an assisted cartwheel, alongside various leaps and jumps in between.

At the end of the routine, they had just enough time to squeeze in a few more basic Charleston Swivels, before Layton climbed onto Nikita’s shoulder in time for their final pose.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this routine. From the outset, it was very clean and succinct; which I would have expected from the couple as they have made heaps of progress each week. I also really like this partnership; as they seem to bounce of each other’s energy which makes for very entertaining routines. It is clear that I am not alone in thinking this, as one critic commented how. “[This routine] will go down in history as one of the best dances ever.” And another one stated how they, “Sobbed throughout the entirety of the routine as it is clear how much effort [the pair] are putting in each week.”

Clearly the Judges were proving a similar viewpoint with Anton explaining how it would, “Have been a travesty if [they] had gone out some weeks ago before as we would never have got to see that; that was incredible.” And Craig gave a standing ovation as he said, “[This was the] best Charleston that I have ever seen in 20 years” which might well be the highest level of praise to receive from a self-proclaimed Charleston Expert.

In light of these comments, the pair received the perfect score of 40 and have managed to swivel their way successfully into the Final of the 21st Series of Strictly Come Dancing. Well Done Layton and Nikita!

Scores:

Craig Revel Horwood – 10

Motsi Mabuse – 10

Shirley Ballas – 10

Anton Du Beke – 10

MyCharleston – 10

By: Eleanor O’Donnell