Being a Strictly Come Dancing star is now and all year round occupation because after the training weeks, the live shows and the official tour, the beloved professionals now develop their own shows around the country with Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington the latest to take to the stage with their second solo endeavour. Nadiya and Kai: Behind the Magic arrives at the Peacock Theatre for two performances before continuing its tour of UK venues. Promising a look backstage, the show doesn’t quite deliver on the technical behind-the-scenes detail but it does unpick the elements that shape their careers as dancers from choreographers and artists to costumes and being part of an acclaimed television show.
The first half has five set pieces that offer both dancers the chance to perform separately as well as in partnership with impressive Quicksteps and an Argentine Tango that will please fans of Strictly. In fact, their choreographers’ section is the best of Act One with a focus on Fred Astaire, Kenny Ortega (Michael Jackson’s choreographer) and particularly a very strong Bob Fosse number fronted by Nadiya which brings the show to life with some excellent coordination alongside the six-strong ensemble.
Act One also offers a golden age of Hollywood moment in which the leads perform a medley from Singin’ in the Rain, recreating the Broadway Melody scene in detail. World champion Bychkova certainly earns her comparison to Cyd Charisse here although Widdrington is less convincing as Gene Kelly. Moving back to their television experience, the show stages a mini dance competition using members of the audience as judges of the ensemble dancers performing a Cha Cha Cha, a Samba and a Jive – a chance to showcase their own skills – but it tells us very little about what it takes for the two professionals to deliver a live show week after week.
The second act contains a fashion show, a celebration of musicians including Gershwin and Berlin, and a charming ballroom section played to a Bridgerton soundtrack of contemporary numbers given an orchestral twist. Nadiya sings, there are multiple endings to encourage the audience up on their feet and both spend some time once again thanking their families and the backstage teams.
Some of the show’s weakest aspects are the linking sections when the pair talk to the audience to cover costume changes, giving thanks to the musicians and artists who support them as the public face of the show. There is also liberal use of video screens showing pre-recorded and primped footage of the performers, often before they’re introduced in the same costume, but there’s little sense of what really is ‘behind the magic’ despite Bychkova admitting to dancing with a broken toe.
The audience clearly adores the dancers – although Nadiya regularly outshines her partner – and Behind the Magic looks to extend their first show by compèring it themselves and giving the audience some of the personality that the demands of a glossy television show has to simplify. It is a celebration of their world and their talent but you won’t necessarily know them any better at the end.
Reviewed on 23 June 2024 and continues to tour
The Reviews Hub Score
Dance celebration
