![](https://www.sardinesmagazine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_2554.JPEG.jpg)
Show: Here Come the Boys
Society: London (professional shows)
Venue: The London Palladium, 8 Argyll Street, London
Credits: Produced by STEVEN HOWARD FOR THE TCB GROUP AND DAVID SHEPHERD FOR TEG. MUR.
Type: Sardines
Performance Date: 26/05/2021
Here Come the Boys
Photos by Fiona Whyte for The TCB Group
Even if you’ve never seen an episode of Strictly Come Dancing, you’ll enjoy this show, but if you are a fan, you’ll love it!
Here Come the Boys has kicked and flicked itself into the London Palladium until 9 June. Featuring famous the faces of Aljaž Škorjanec, Pasha Kovalev, Graziano di Prima and Robin Windsor, Nadiya Bychkova and Karim Zeroual it is so much more than a dance show featuring these Strictly stars, it is a pure celebration of entertainment.
I must really congratulate the Director and Choreographer, Gareth Walker as the whole show really flows, switching dance and music styles to keep it fresh and interesting. Plus they don’t skimp on routines, with two 45min halves full to the brim with short wonderfully choreographed dances, it really delivers.
However I feel the real success of this show is that it has so much more than the dancing, the overall vision and the little touches of beatboxing, a live DJ playing, dance battles, themed routines, inventive staging, chats and humour, really add up to make it a rounded show everyone would enjoy.
My only tiny grumble would be that the voting element felt rather contrived, if they wanted to get the audience totally involved, in the day of track and trace QR codes the audience could have one to vote live and there could be overall scores for the 10-day run, even if it is fixed.
All the ‘boys’ look amazing but combine perfectly to bring a different style to every dance. Graziano has pure energy and power, Robin is loving being back on stage, Aljaž makes beautiful shapes look so simple and Pasha dances with such feel and expression. Then Karim pulls it together with a perfect mix of comparing while joining in and showing off the moves he has.
And of course they are all perfectly complimented by Nadiya and the superb backing dancers, who covered such a range of styles with aplomb. My compliment to them is that many times I couldn’t help but find my eyes drawn to and staying on them.
Finally, I have to commend the London Palladium, the Creative Team and all those involved in the organisation, it was fantastic. For all those not sure about returning to a theatre audience it felt totally safe and comfortable, there was social distancing but didn’t feel restrictive.
This was the first live performance I’ve seen in over a year and I’m glad it was Here Come the Boys. As an audience you are actively encouraged to get involved, which was not difficult as it was such a fun show and I dare anyone to be able to sit still and not enjoy it.
If you are missing live theatre and you can get your hands on tickets, Here Come the Boys is the perfect way to shake off those lockdown blues and dance yourself back into action!
LondonLondon PalladiumMusical TheatreProfessionalStrictlyTheatreWest End