Strictly Spin-offs: 12 shows to get you moving in the Midlands in 2021/22

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If you love Strictly Come Dancing, you’ll be delighted to know that some of its most-admired professional dancers are quickstepping, foxtrotting, waltzing and Argentine tangoing their way into the Midlands region over the next 18 months. Here’s a run-down of who’s appearing in what, where and when...

GIOVANNI PERNICE: THIS IS ME
A homage to the music and dances which have inspired him on his journey from competition dancer to one of Strictly’s biggest stars, This Is Me sees Giovanni bringing together his natural Italian charm with ‘beautiful choreography and a fabulous soundtrack’. He’s joined by a cast of professional dancers for what is his fourth touring show.

SHOWING AT: Albany Theatre, Coventry, Tues 6 April; The Place, Telford, Thurs 15 April; Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Sun 9 May; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Wed 26 May

VINCENT SIMONE: TANGO PASSIONS
His appearances on Strictly have seen him dancing with, amongst others, Stephanie Beacham, Rachel Stevens, Felicity Kendall and Edwina Currie, but it’s professional partner Ksenia Zsikhotska with whom Vincent is stepping out in this latest show. A must-see for lovers of Argentine tango, the production also features live band Tango Siempre.

SHOWING AT: Albany Theatre, Coventry, Thurs 30 September; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sun 10 October; Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Wed 27 October

NEIL JONES: GINGERLAND
Three-time world and eight-time British champion Neil Jones has postponed his visit to the Albany until spring 2022, but tickets are nonetheless available now. Gingerland is a production designed to pay homage to the people who most influenced Neil as a dancer, all of whom happened to be ginger - hence the show’s title!

SHOWING AT: The Albany Theatre, Coventry, Sat 5 March, 2022; Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Wed 30 March 2022; Stourbridge Town Hall, Tues 31 March 2022

HERE COME THE BOYS
Strictly trio Aljaž Škorjanec, Pasha Kovalev and Graziano di Prima once again combine their talents in a show that scored a big hit the last time it toured back in 2019. They’re joined for an evening of high-energy spectacle by a cast that includes three internationally acclaimed female dance partners, a world champion beat-boxer and a team of commercial street dancers.

SHOWING AT: Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sat 3 July; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent; Wed 7 July

AJ & CURTIS' BIG NIGHT OUT
Guest singers, live interactive games, comedy and ‘explosive’ choreography... it’s all going on in what promises to be a show packed with plenty of brotherly love! Strictly’s AJ and his sibling, Curtis - who’s best known from Love Island and The Greatest Dancer - will also be handing out some ‘exciting’ prizes. What’s not to like?

SHOWING AT: The Alexandra, Birmingham, Sun 10 October; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Sun 17 October

OTI MABUSSE: I AM HERE
Strictly’s reigning champion is heading for the Midlands this summer with a brand-new show. Joined for the occasion by talented dancers and West End singers and musicians, Oti offers her audience an insight into the influences and inspirations which led her to chase her dream of becoming a professional dancer.

SHOWING AT: Birmingham Hippodrome, Sun 2 May; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Fri 4 June; The Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Sat 26 June

KEVIN CLIFTON: BURN THE FLOOR
“Burn The Floor is the show that ignited a spark in me and changed me forever as a performer,” says Kevin Clifton, who’s making a welcome return with the hit production this year. “Through Broadway, West End and touring all over the world, this show has ripped apart the rule book, revolutionised our genre and inspired and shaped me as the dancer I am today. In 2021, I’m delighted to say that I’m coming ‘home’ to Burn The Floor.”

SHOWING AT: Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Wed 19 May; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Wed 30 June - Thurs 1 July; Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sat 31 July

HIM & ME: ANTON DU BEKE & GIOVANNI PERNICE
Two of Strictly’s best-loved pros come together for the first time on this sure-to-be-popular tour. With Anton du Beke’s Showtime production with Erin Boeg postponed until next year, he’s joining up with Giovanni Pernice to present a production that’s being publicised as ‘a true dance extravaganza’.

SHOWING AT: Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Thurs 17 June; The Alexandra, Birmingham, Tues 20 July

ANTON & ERIN: SHOWTIME
Anton du Beke and Erin Boeg will return to the Midlands in 2022 with their brand-new Covid-delayed extravaganza. Blending smart choreography and sparkly costumes with much-loved music, the celebrity dancing duo present a production inspired by some of the world's greatest icons of entertainment - from Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, to Tom Jones and Elton John. They’re joined for the show by a 23-piece orchestra and a ‘spectacular’ dance ensemble.

SHOWING AT: Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sat 29 January 2022; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Sat 5 March 2022

STRICTLY COME DANCING THE PROFESSIONALS
Strictly stars are out on the road again this year, The 2021 line-up includes: two-time ballroom and Latin World Champion Nadiya Bychkova, professional World Mambo Champion Karen Hauer, Australian Open Champion Dianne Buswell, Italian Latin Champion Graziano Di Prima, undefeated four-time British National Champion Neil Jones and four-time Italian Dance Championship winner Luba Mushtuk. Past Strictly champions and finalists Gorka Marquez, Katya Jones and Johannes Radebe - plus Ireland’s Dancing With The Stars pro Kai Widdrington - also feature.

SHOWING AT: Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Fri 14 May 2.30pm & 7,30pm

THE BALLROOM BOYS
The Ballroom Boys are very much ‘back by popular demand’, their 2019 tour having garnered some seriously complimentary reviews. Strictly stars Ian Waite and Vincent Simone are here presenting a brand-new show, complete with dance routines aplenty - from the Viennese waltz and the foxtrot, to the rhumba and the Argentine tango. They’re joined by their ‘stunning dance partners and a world-class singer’.

SHOWING AT: Prince of Wales Theatre, Cannock, Sun 30 May; Swan Theatre, Worcester, Tues 8 & Wed 9 June; Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Wed 23 June; Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 5 July; Stourbridge Town Hall, Wed 7 July; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Mon 12 July

STRICTLY COME DANCING LIVE
Strictly Come Dancing waltzes back onto the road next year with what’s sure to be a supersized and sequin-filled live show. Expect no shortage of glitz and glamour as a host of dancing celebrities and Strictly’s ever-insightful judges present no fewer than 33 performances across the UK - including, of course, a number here in the Midlands.