Key events
Judges’ scores for Sarah and Vito: 9, 9, 10, 10 for a total of 38 points. Miranda Hart is in the house. Vito flogs a salad metaphor to within an inch of its life.
Judges’ comments for Sarah and Vito: Motsi says “well-placed, great timing, didn’t miss a beat”. Shirley Trunchbull says “you’ve set the standard, flawless lifts, great details, loved it”. Anton says “a wonderful piece of musical theatre, I love watching you dance”. Bearded Craig concludes “prim characterisation, precise and well presented”. A nines and three 10s, do we reckon?
Sarah and Vito’s Charleston
We’re not in Kansas anymore. Well, yes, we’re in Borehamwood. Sarah Hadland has Grande shoes to fill as Galinda the good witch. With the blockbuster movie cleaning up at box offices, it’s a good time to pay hoofing homage. Sarah’s in a ruffled pink mini-dress. A bouncy, high-energy Charleston should suit her. Slow start with some messin’ abaht, then into a dynamic dance with cracking characterisation. Plenty of swivel and packed with clean lifts. She’s being flung about by the extra dancers, as well as partner Vito Coppola, feet barely touching the floor. Flying and, yep, defying gravity. Song a bit stop-start but a proper showstopper. Pure showbiz.
Song: Popular from Wicked. The bubblegum pop-meets-The-Beatles song sees Glinda trying to help her misunderstood roommate Elphaba conform and make friends. Writer Stephen Schwartz compares the song to the plot of Clueless. It’s been sampled by Mika and recently released by Ariana Grande as the lead single from the film soundtrack. Frankie Bridge and Annabel Croft have previously performed Strictly numbers to songs from Wicked.
Our Strictly stars™
Our six couples take their bow. The fancy dress box has been raided, as expected. Tasha Ghouri is in Tudor garb. Lauren Oakley is Mary Poppins. Sarah Hadland has come as a cupcake, I think.
Judges enter stage left
The paddle-raising quartet emerge onto the Strictly stage. Fancy dress all round. Motsi Mabuse is a Dreamgirl, Shirley Ballas is Miss Trunchbull and Craig Revel Horwood in drag as the bearded lady from The Greatest Showman. Anton Du Beke in a technicolour dreamcoat with terrible mullet again, aka Claud’s Auntie Joan.
Frockwatch
Here comes our two-headed hostly hydra, so time for a Musicals edition of our usual fashion match-up. Tess Daly is sporting a one-shouldered red trouser suit. Claudia Winkleman is in a black sequinned mini with tuxedo top. Claud wins.
Carlos Gu plays the peck-ish shrub. It’s basically Day Of The Triffids with jazzhands, isn’t it? Feed me, Seymour!
Neil Jones plays the Rick Moranis role as the nerdy florist who discovers a sentient carnivorous plant which feeds on human blood. Luba Mushtuk plays the object of Seymour’s affections, his colleague Audrey. Kai Widdrington is villainous dentist Orin Scrivello.
Little shop of hoofing
Unusually for a live show – but hey, it’s Musicals Week – we open with a razzle-dazzle group routine from the Strictly professionals. It’s based on 80s show Little Shop of Horrors.
Reckon Vicky Gill got a multi-buy deal on top hats?
Roll clap-along credits
Nine couples down, six remain. It’ll be five by tomorrow. Dropping like foxtrotting flies, they are.
And we’re off!
Cue VT to crank up the drama. Have we mentioned that it’s Musicals Week yet?
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