Strictly Review: Ashley Roberts and Pasha Kovalev

Ashley Roberts scored a hat trick after she received three 10s with her dance partner Pasha Kovalev for their Halloween themed Charleston. At the end of the night, they were joint top of the leaderboard with Faye Tozer and Giovanni Pernice.

Ashley and Pasha received a standing ovation from not only the audience but also from Bruno Tonioli and head judge Shirley Ballas after their “swivellious” Trolls-inspired routine. Bruno even exclaimed it was the highlight of the season so far. But what made it so good and stand out against the other Charleston routines we have seen so far?

First of all, I know what you are all going to say ‘She trained professionally!’ which is true, but let’s put that aside and take a look at the choreography and content on this dance which is what made it shine.

First of all, the pair are great at setting the scene. Pasha, the troll, puts a spell on Ashley, a bergen, to get her to fall in love with him. She executes the flapper walks and isolation steps of being under a spell perfectly. (If you are unclear of the reference, the characters are based on the Disney film Trolls).

Once the spell has been cast they break into Helicopters, Rock Steps and Charlestons in perfect sync. We see some other nice classic steps at 0:51 seconds where Ashley performs Camel Walks, Birdie Flaps, Lock Turns and Swivels on one leg which then goes straight into Charleston kicks across the body with two Bunny Hops. This is followed by Charleston in hold and a nice turning section. The whole section is jam packed and they keep going with great content as this is followed by Flapper Walks, a Basic Charleston with a kick and some lifts. 

As soon as they break out of the lifts, they perform two Smack the Babies and some classic Pushes and another seamless lift. Towards the end of the routine, they bring it back to the storyline where Ashley then tries to cast a spell on Pasha this time which leads to them throwing the spell book away and them being happy little trolls in love which each other.

What we love about this routine is the story and the choreography are perfectly put together. Sometimes the storylines are quite loose and don’t make sense but this one was clear and beautifully presented. It was also very fast, full of content and the pair of them were perfectly synchronised. Ashley is also the first celeb this series who has mastered the art of the swivel.

The only drawback to this routine is the music. The tune is so annoying that it distracts from the routine and If they had used something with a bit more swing, we could have seen some even more complicated steps with the use of cross phasing and syncopation which would have made it stand out even more. However, we are being picky and as this is a family show, I’m sure lots of kids loved the Disney reference and the music.

Judges Scores:

Bruno: "Astonishing! A magical spellbinding, exuberant, action packed, musical comedy Charleston. One of the best Strictly moments of the season." (Score: 10)

Craig: "Swi-vel-licious, darling." (Score: 9)

Darcey: "A terrific contrast from last week. How the choreography is led by the story, and that face was working as hard as the body." (Score: 10)

Shirley: "One of the best choreographic routines I've ever seen. Fantastic." (Score: 10) 

Our Score: 9 

Strictly Misbehaving

Picture the scene: you’re at work; you step out from behind your desk, put on some leggings and make your way through the hallowed halls of the Hilton to an empty function room.

Inma and Rowena in rehearsals with Fiona.

There, you’re met by a moonlighting flapper girl in 21st century lycra and a bluetooth speaker to boot. Not your average morning at work.

That flapper girl is me, Rowena from Savoy Kicks, and that stupendous individual in the leggings is Inma - a most excellent employee of the Hilton Brighton Metropole. And that scene really happened a few weeks ago.

We got together for our first Strictly Charleston rehearsal after Inma had volunteered to take part in MyCharleston’s charity ‘Strictly Charleston’ competition at the MyCharleston Speakeasy in Brighton Fringe. On that first day, we spent two hours jumping around an enormous function room, trying out the signature Charleston swivel on the corporate carpets (tricky!), and belly laughing our way through all the basic moves. Phew!

Inma was full of enthusiasm that day, and as I write, after three two-hour rehearsals together, her enthusiasm for Charleston has only grown. She is (or should I say ‘was’!) a total beginner dance-wise, so I’ve been bowled over my how well she’s taken to the Charleston and how quickly she’s picked up the steps.

Rowena and Inma at the Hilton

The routine we’ve been working on is all about your classic cheeky flappers. I chose the song ‘Let’s Misbehave’ from Anything Goes to fit the ‘musicals’ theme for the competition, and decided to spin it from the romantic narrative in the show to a fun girl power narrative, where two flapper friends get together to dance, have fun, and yes, you’ve guessed it, misbehave!

After hours of choreography and rehearsals, we now have a full routine which just needs some ‘drilling and polishing’ (as they say in the biz), before the big day. The excitement is building!

I’m so proud of Inma for jumping far outside her comfort zone, getting stuck in, and challenging herself to learn something new, all for a good cause. She’s a superstar and, regardless of the outcome of the competition, she’s the winner in my eyes.

Keep an eye on the Savoy Kicks and MyCharleston Instagram accounts to get live updates from the rehearsals as we countdown to the Speakeasy - we hope to see you there!

BOOK TICKETS HERE

The Great Gatsby Fair takes on Bexhill this Summer

After much upset that the Bexhill Roaring 20s festival will not be running this year, Sharon Blagrove, Event Director of Bentley Fairs, has salvaged the beloved 1920s event by putting a new vintage weekender with a twist for 2018.

'My first thought was how everyone in the town, and those that look forward to it and visit from far and wide would miss this huge event. I decided to step up and put my own event on which ironically was being planned for another seaside location,  but with the title The Great Gatsby Fair it seemed destined for Bexhill after all, and just at the right time' 

The event is held along Bexhill seafront from the Metropole Lawns to East Parade and this years’ event will be over the whole weekend. A big celebration of the 1920's era, of people in period vintage costumes and all the song and dance acts that go with it.

There's something for everyone, with children's entertainment from 10-1 both days and nonstop music on the seafront with Morris dancers, Ukulele players, Dance school productions, Singers, jazz bands, Dixieland bands 40's singers, Dance troupes, competitions for fancy dress and Charleston dances. The Highland piper will play outside the Bexhill Sailing Club at 1.15 signalling the start of the procession towardsThe Metropole Lawns at the De la Warr Pavilion where there are ticketed afternoon parties from 2pm both days. 

Saturday 2pm-5.30pm is The Charleston Party.  Savoy Kicks will lead the way with a Charleston lesson on stage followed by a competition to find the best Charleston dancers who will win cash prizes. The Roaring 20's Orchestra will play and there are fancy dress competitions Bonnie and Clyde (with under 16'sentries too) The Best Dressed Lady and Best Dressed Gent.

Saturday evening entertainment in the large marquee with Swing and Blues bands a bar and food from 7 pm -10.30 pm Sunday Its Peaky Blinders Retro Party with fancy dress and cash prizes for the best Guys and Dolls(with under 16s entries too) and Best Dressed lady and Gent.40's singer Pete Wayre and dancing from 2-5.30. to The Hastings Stompers Jazz group & The Swing Street Orchestra Pop Up Vintage London will curate a fabulous Vintage Fair, and Food and Drink will be brought in courtesy of Food Feast South East.

It is advisable to get your tickets early for the parties. Only Adults need tickets Under 16s go in free. Go to www.thegreatgatsbyfair.co.uk

Chai and Charleston - 1920s Afternoon Tea

Last Saturday, we grabbed our pearls and dusted down your flapper gowns as we headed off to The Hilton Brighton Metropole and stepped back in time to relive the glamour of the Roaring Twenties. On 24 February, we hosted our first decadent Saturday afternoon consisting of delicious afternoon tea, Charleston lessons, feisty flappers and a live jazz band.

This afternoon tea with a 1920s twist came with plenty of tea, cake and dancing. Live music  was from the Soultastics, and Charleston entertainment had our guests swivelling across the dance floor in no time.

Due to the success of the Afternoon Tea we will now we hosting them regularly and have four more in the diary which will be taking place in June, September and a Christmas special so keep an eye of the website for the official date announcements.