It's Strictly Eve and, as we love a good dance in opera, we are very excited for the new series.
Our current production, Ainadamar, merges the worlds of opera and dace with stunning Flamenco routines choreographed by the incomparable Antonio Najarro. If you loved Oti Mabuse, Gorka Marquez and Graziano di Prima’s dramatic Flamenco in 2019, then Ainadamar is definitely the one to see.
There have been some incredible paso dobles on Strictly Come Dancing over the years, from Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu to John and Johannes’ epic Pirates routine. Stylised as ‘bullfighting’ it’s no wonder that these routines remind us of Carmen and the incredible Toreador song (Votre toast, je peuxvous le rendre) sung by the bullfighter Escamillo as he enters the pub to the cheering and toasting of revellers.
Who could forget the romantic waltzes we’ve seen on Strictly over the years? From Harry Judd and Aliona Vilani to Abbey Clancey and Alijaz Škorjanec, the waltz has been a staple on the show and throughout WNO’s history. From The Merry Widow to Die Fledermaus, we have brought the waltz to the stage numerous times, and you can see it again in our current production of La traviata during the rip-roaring drinking song Libiamo, ne'lieti calici. You can also hear some of the most beautiful waltzes alongside some rousing, and familiar, surprises when WNO Orchestra, led by Concertmaster David Adams and joined by WNO’s latest Associate Artists, soprano Emily Christina Loftus and mezzo-soprano Beca Davies, deliver a vibrant showcase of favourites from Vienna on our Viennese Celebration tour in January 2024.
Bollywood is another style of dance that has featured in both opera and Strictly. If you were lucky enough to see our monumental production Migrations, you’re sure to remember the stunning Bollywood routines in This is the Life! which was a humorous look at the experience of Indian doctors in the NHS in the 1960s. Way back in 2014, the Strictly professionals performed an energetic and colourful routine alongside Bollywood dancers Bolly Flex to open Strictly's Around the World week. Will Young and Karen Clifton also performed a Bollywood inspired Salsa to Jai Ho and just last year there was an incredible Bollywood celebration in the Ballroom as celebrities took to the dance floor to perform a dazzling display of routines filled with Bollywood flair.
With other exquisite dances in opera, such as the Polonaise in Eugene Onegin, the mesmerizing tap-dancing of Kiss Me, Kate and the beautiful ballet of Les vêpres siciliennes, maybe it’s time for Strictly Come Dancing to do an opera week.