We are now in Week 5 of the 2023 series and last Saturday, former tennis player and Radio Presenter Annabel Croft and Professional Partner Johannes Radebe, took to the stage and opened the show with a Charleston, set to the tune “Ladie’s Night,” by Kool & The Gang.

Dressed up to the nines in their 1920s Glad Rags, Annabel, and Johannes set the scene in true 20s fashion, in a mock dressing room, as they playfully dabbed each other with makeup, and spritzed perfume; and not forgetting a brief yet complex sequence of handheld ‘mirror-ography.’

After a few bars of opening music, Annabel and Johannes shimmy up from their seats and leap into 1920s Charleston swivels, with beaming smiles, as they swish their way into a brief partner section; where Johannes twirls Annabel across the dancefloor. Which is subsequently followed by further swivels, Cake Walks, and Pushes.

At 0:58, the pair smoothly transition into a sequence in hold, followed by an assisted cartwheel. Later on, at 1:05, it appears Annabel takes a small stumble and as a result, misses the cue to jump into her lift. However, all is redeemed as, at 1:08, she regains her timings and flings herself into a Black Bottom inspired sequence.

Nearing the end, the pair attempt a synchronised pattern with feather boas, followed by 1920s Kicks, Flicks, and Swivel Walks.

At the end, the couple come together to complete a further Lift, Pushes, Jumps, and the Splits before popping up into their final pose.

Overall, I didn’t really know what to make of this routine. Whilst it had the moves, it was very tame and seemed to lack the cheeky traditional flare of a 1920s Charleston that we all know and love. It seems that I am not alone in thinking this as one viewer stated that ‘It lacked energy’ and another thought ‘the routine missed the free spirit and wackiness of a Charleston.’

The judges also said similar with Head Judge Shirley Ballas saying, ‘Whilst [she was] delighted, there were a few hiccups’ and Craig Revel Horwood stated that there was ‘No Swivel and was too placed and neat.’ However, he couldn’t help but smile when he commended the pair on the ‘Chic-est Charleston that [He] has ever seen.’

Scores:

Craig Revel Horwood - 5

Motsi Mabuse – 7

Shirley Ballas – 7

Anton Du Beke – 8

MyCharleston – 7

Fortunately, despite the score, and underwhelming Judges comments, Annabel and Johannes were saved from the dreaded dance off as it was Eddie Kadi and Karen Hauer’s turn to leave the series.

By: Eleanor O’Donnell