Strictly Come Dancing Live, Birmingham Utilita Arena review: lorryloads of glamour and goodwill

“We have spent two long years in the darkness,” said Bruno Tonioli. “Now the lights are back on.” They were indeed. I counted 10 glitterballs spinning above the dancefloor. Strobes flashed, flames belched and sparks flew. This was a dazzling comeback for Strictly Come Dancing Live, illuminated by glamour and goodwill.

The pandemic meant no live spin-off last year, so this euphoric production had a feeling of overdue release. Seven couples, three judges and several lorryloads of sequins hit the road for a 33-show UK tour. It rapidly became a richly deserved lap of honour for reigning champion Rose Ayling-Ellis.

The EastEnders actress won the hearts of the nation last autumn. Strictly’s first ever deaf contestant and popular Sicilian professional Giovanni Pernice formed an endearingly close partnership, deservedly lifting the glitterball trophy before Christmas. Now they put their dancing shoes back on and were the headline act by some distance. To witness the duo’s mutual trust, crackling chemistry and perfectly synchronised movement in the flesh was a joy.

It wasn’t just on the ballroom floor where the inspirational Ayling-Ellis made an impact. Her barrier-breaking win helped hugely raise awareness of the deaf community. Online searches for information about sign language rose six-fold. Training courses reported a surge in sign-ups.

Thanks to the 27-year-old, every date on this tour has a registered British Sign Language interpreter projected on giant screens flanking the stage, making this Britain’s biggest ever BSL-accessible arena tour. Who says TV talent contests can’t make a difference?

The couples performed two routines apiece and it was a greatest hits of the BBC blockbuster’s triumphant 19th series. Runners-up John Whaite and Johannes Radebe opened proceedings with their piratical paso doble. Semi-finalist Rhys Stephenson reprised his virtuosic Charleston. Tilly Ramsay busted out her riotous Matilda streetdance. Dragon’s Den’s Sara Davies reminded us what a classy ballroom performer she became.

TV presenter AJ Odudu suffered hoofing heartbreak when she reached the final but was forced to pull out with torn ankle ligaments. She’d hoped to recover in time for the tour but still wasn’t fit to dance. She was replaced by EastEnders actress (and 2020 finalist) Maisie Smith, who formed a firecracker duo with AJ’s partner Kai Widdrington. Impressive as she was, Smith had to play second fiddle to her soap castmate.

The most random name on the bill was Max George from boyband The Wanted, who also competed in the 2020 series but was eliminated third and highly forgettable. He duly finished bottom of the scoreboard here. Surely more worthy Strictly alumnus could have been found? It was a shame only five of last year’s 15 couples were able to take part. Dan Walker, Judi Love or Adam Peaty would have been far preferable.

Head judge Shirley Ballas and resident villain Craig Revel Horwood were joined on the panel by comeback king Tonioli. Travel restrictions meant the Italian judge has missed the last two series but he made up for it here. His flamboyant gesticulations and double entendres elicited peals of laughter. He exchanged quips with Revel Horwood like a pair of panto dames.

TV favourites don’t always translate well to the live setting but Strictly’s blend of song, dance and spectacle give it an advantage. Its old-fashioned variety flavour makes it ideal family-friendly live light entertainment. The whooping crowd spanned from primary schoolers to pensioners. Cardboard scoring paddles were waved. Everyone wore their sparkliest face mask. Bars did brisk business serving prosecco.

Neither Ayling-Ellis nor Whaite dropped a point but once the audience vote was added, there was only going to be one winner. She and Pernice added “the Birmingham glitterball trophy” to their growing collection.

The climax, rightly, was their barrier-breaking, barefoot contemporary routine which provided one of 2021’s most memorable TV moments. Up close, its spine-tingling silent interlude lost none of its power. You could hear a pin drop as the pair’s feet audibly squeaked on the floor. “Seeing it live for the first time exceeds all expectations,” enthused Tonioli. “You had 10,000 people under your spell. You’re magic.”

Revel Horwood, who directed this tour, denied that his New Year’s Resolution was to be kind but even he couldn’t resist the infectious celebratory atmosphere. “There’s so much love and support in this room,” smiled Ayling-Ellis. By the end, even the sign language interpreter was dancing along.