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Strictly Come Dancing 2019: The best & worst Charlestons so far
We are now half way through Strictly Come Dancing 2019 and we have now seen 7 Charlestons on the show with only 4 couples left who have yet to perform one. As the standard builds, let’s looks back at the Highs and Lows of the Charlestons and who has the highest scoring routine so far.
We are now half way through Strictly Come Dancing 2019 and we have now seen 7 Charlestons on the show with only 4 couples left who have yet to perform one. As the standard builds let’s looks back at the highs and lows of the Charlestons and who has the highest scoring routine so far.
First up was Comedian Chris Ramsey with his professional partner Karen Hauer. The storyline is of two flirty neighbours set to Take That’s ‘Out of our Heads’.
Chris Ramsey and Karen Hauer
The following week was Movie Week and we were treated to not one, but two Charlestons. Actor Kelvin Fletcher and his dance partner Oti Mabuse scored an almost perfect score which included two 10s to ‘Trip a Little Light Fantastic’ from Mary Poppins. Anneka Rice and Kevin Clifton were voted off the show with their Kill Bill themed routine.
Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse
Catherine Tyldesley, actress, with her professional dance partner Johannes Radebe were next to Charleston to Beyonce’s hit single Single Ladies. Both wearing fuchsia pink outfits their performance was set in a nail bar with plenty of energy and sass.
Catherine Tyldesley and Johannes Radebe
Alex Scott with her professional partner Neil Jones leaped back up the leader board the week they got to dance their Electro Swing style Charleston to the track ‘Pump the Jam’ by The Swingrowers.
Alex Scott & Neil Jones
Strictly Come Dancing spook-tacular Halloween Week featured Emma Weymouth and with professional dancer Aljaž Škorjanec dancing a Cluedo themed Charleston to the song ‘A Little Party Never Hurt Nobody’ by Fergie.
Emma Weymouth and Aljaž Škorjanec
The final Charleston dance so far of the series was TV presenter Mike Bushell and his dancer partner Katya Jones who performed the Charleston to Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines by Ron Goodwin Orchestra. Although they ended up in the dance-off, the judges saved the pair.
Mike Bushell and Katya Jones
The judges have ranked the Charlestons in the following order:
Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse = 38 points
Alex Scott & Neil Jones = 33 points
Joint place between Catherine Tyldesley and Johannes Radebe, Emma Weymouth and Aljaž Škorjanec Mike Bushell and Katya Jones = 30 points
Chris Ramsey and Karen Hauer = 26 points
Anneka Rice and Kevin Clifton = 11 points
Do you agree with the scoreboard so far? and will anyone beat Kelvin and Oti?
Strictly Review: Mike Bushell and Katya Jones
After last week’s shock exit, and Will Bayley’s departure due to injury, we saw the nine remaining couples take to the dance floor on Saturday night. TV presenter Mike Bushell and his dancer partner Katya Jones performed the Charleston to Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines by Ron Goodwin Orchestra.
After last week’s shock exit, and Will Bayley’s departure due to injury, we saw the nine remaining couples take to the dance floor on Saturday night. TV presenter Mike Bushell and his dancer partner Katya Jones performed the Charleston to Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines by Ron Goodwin Orchestra. Although they ended up in the dance-off, the judges saved the pair. What made it worth the save? It was praised by Craig and Motsi for being "more entertaining" and "more challenging" but do you agree?
The routine is set around the two of them being ‘Hot Air Ballon Pilots’ (If that is the correct terminology?!) and the routine starts with Swivels, Box Step and a Cartwheel style Kick from Katya. At 0:33, there is a nice lift and some stylised movement where they pretend to be aeroplanes. The section is very crisp and put together nicely.
They get into hold at 0:49 with skips around the stage, a handstand from Katya, Heel Rises and Truckin’. They continue with more Charleston content including: Scissor Jumps, Helicopter, Swivel Walks in Hold and a Penguin step whilst turning.
From 1:30 mins they perform the basic Charleston step, Pushes and a final lift until Katya runs back to her hot air ballon for the final pose whilst Mike does some Wings then a end position.
This routine is full of content and compared to Emma and Alijaz’s Charleston routine last week, it’s much more dynamic. The choreographer Jenny Thomas put loads of great steps in including: Truckin’, Helicopter, Pushes and some quirky lifts. In terms of choreography it’s one of the most content rich so far. The music was in keeping with the style and the costumes were very nice too.
Mike has no dance experience and he obviously worked very hard. He put a lot of character into this one and uses his face well. In regards to the dance-off it was a more interesting routine to Emma and Ailjaz. Unfortutetly, the public are a bit ‘Anti-Mike’ due to last weeks dance-off but I do agree it was fair to save him over Emma.
In terms of areas to improve, Mike needs to work on being more relaxed when he dances so the movement flows more. The routine did look a bit like he was plodding through the steps so if he could try and be lighter on his feet it would hopefully make the transitions within the routine more fluid as it come across like they blocked each section but a good try from a complete beginner!
Scores 7+7+8+8
Our score: 6
For a quick comparison, here is Pasha and Kimberley dancing to the same song back in 2012.
Strictly Review: Emma Weymouth and Aljaž Škorjanec
Strictly Come Dancing spook-tacular Halloween Week special aired last weekend and the latest couple to take on the Charleston was Emma Weymouth and Aljaž Škorjanec. Scoring a total of 30 was this fair or overmarked?
Strictly Come Dancing spook-tacular Halloween Week special aired last weekend and the latest couple to take on the Charleston was Emma Weymouth and with professional dancer Aljaž Škorjanec. Scoring a total of 30 was this fair or overmarked?
The dance was set in a library and the theme was Cluedo. Emma dressed as Miss Scarlett and Aljaž as Professor Plum.
The routine begins with Aljaž popping out a bookcase and they greet each other with a few Runs, Step Points and a Tick Tock.
They break into 3 Charlestons with various arms at 0:34 followed by a series of lifts. In hold they move into Sailor Kicks turning around each other then Flapper Walks.
At 1:07, they go back to the Cluedo theme and fight over a candlestick followed by some Flapper Walks at 1:14. Judge Craig Revel Horwood commented that this move was supposed to be a Truckin’ Step but it didn’t look anything like that. I think it was just supposed to be walks.
For the final section, Emma spends most of it in the air with lots of trick moves and lifts. The routine finishes with Aljaž disappearing back through the bookcase.
This routine was well rehearsed and the pair gave a polished performance. Emma had plenty of swivels, danced in time and is very neat when she performs. I think she needs to go the extra mile now and become more playful as it was very controlled and a bit posey.
In terms of technique, her movement needs to be continuously, without stopping so the dance flows a bit better. It came across and a bit stop/start.
Choreography could have been more dynamic. They were a few Charlestons and travelling steps but there was not that much Charleston content. I couldn’t find online who choreographed this but it can get a bit boring watching lift after lift and it’s a shame not to have more interesting footwork.
The music they picked was from the Great Gatsby Soundtrack but it didn’t work very well with the theme of Cluedo. It seemed more like a party number rather than Halloween themed and all the elements didn’t quite come together.
Emma Weymouth and Aljaž Škorjanec received a score of 30 (6+8+8+8).
Our Score: 6
Elena
Strictly Review: Alex Scott and Neil Jones
Strictly Come Dancing contestant Alex Scott with her professional partner Neil Jones leaped back up the leader board this week with their Charleston where head judge Shirley Ballas commented “That was your best dance to date’’.
Strictly Come Dancing contestant Alex Scott with her professional partner Neil Jones leaped back up the leader board this week with their Charleston where head judge Shirley Ballas commented “That was your best dance to date’’.
On Saturday night, the ex-professional footballer danced a Charleston to ‘Pump Up the Jam’, an Electro Swing cover by the Sicilian band Swingrowers. Choreographed by Jenny Thomas, the theme was a modern twist on the Charleston and included some great content.
Dressed in black and white the couple quickly got into their routine with Flapper Walks, Butterfly Twists and Heel Flicks followed by Charlestons facing each other with kicks. Before the lift there was a body isolation sequence where Neil made a mistake and momentarily forgets the routine at 0:39. However, they get straight back into with a lovely travelling Lindy Hop section at 0:47 followed by a Charleston, three Fall on the Logs, two Jumping Heel Clicks, Pushes and a Lock Turn. Compared to the other Charleston routines on the show we have already seen heaps of classic steps.
After the second lift at 1min they run onto the raised level where there is a mix of Charleston steps with a lift and some Hip Hop stylised moves which works really well with the music.
Once back on the floor, they carry on with a some Flapper Walks, a Forward/Backward Roll then back to their final position which mirrors the opening pose.
For me, this is the best Charleston of the series so far. Firstly, the costume, music, set design and lighting really capture a contemporary Charleston feel and sets the scene perfectly. Secondly, Alex obviously likes the song they have been given which gets her out of her shell and into character. She uses her faces, looking like she is having fun. I often have used this song in class and is always a real crowd pleaser.
I also liked that they had some sections in hold when Neil moved Alex across the floor at 0:45 and it was jam packed full of great Charleston steps from start to finish. If they were to dance this again, I think Alex could exaggerate her movements more to match Neil and extend her arms so the lines are crisp and clear. I think choreographer Jenny Thomas and her assistant Sean Moon did a fantastic job with his one.
Shirly Ballas commented “Control from the beginning when you walked on stage to when you left it’’ and “ I have to say you have a lovely dynamic between you’’ Shirley went on to offer Alex and Neil a eight for their performance.
Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse gave them the same and stand-in judge Alfonso Ribeiro scored them a nine.
Our Score: 8
Elena