Mesmerised by the costumes, sets, music and work ethic of Strictly Come Dancing
I know I am a little late coming to the party as the show is in its 12th season but, as a recent convert, I have to voice my enthusiasm for the entire Strictly Come Dancing phenomenon.
Trying to find a television programme that is suitable for mum, dad and three children ranging from five to 11 is next to impossible and that is why this show is such a welcome delight.
Saturday and Sunday evenings find the five of us happily ensconced on the sofa cheering on our favourites and commiserating with those who fall by the wayside. The show has been a rip-roaring success and it is easy to see why.
Novices are teamed with a professional dancer and tutored along from clunky beginners to fairly adept dancers in their own right. Four judges grade and critique each couple and, in tandem with public votes, the favourites are cheered on to next week and the least successful must leave the show.
There is the usual prickly pernickety judge whose job it seems to be to provide a likeable target for the audience’s well-mannered boos and grumbles of discontent. Overall the judges are encouraging, generous with their praise and highly complimentary of how far the novices have come along their individual dancing journey.
Costumes
The costumes and sets are spectacular, the music is superb and we are all learning the difference between a rumba and a salsa. It is the whole entertainment package.
One of its most appealing aspects is the diversity of the participants who come in all shapes, sizes, colours and ages. As the weeks progress, the less fit or less adept dancers leave the programme but each and every one has spoken of a fulfilling personal journey and an enhanced sense of self-worth derived from taking part in something they may have had no real aptitude for.
One particular competitor, a large heavy-set lady, moved with enthusiasm and incredible ease on the dance floor and spoke of her delight at proving that if “someone like her” could dance with style and grace, then absolutely anyone could.
As the competition progresses it may be the most highly skilled, technically perfect couples who are battling it out for a place in the final, but it is the brave outsiders who inspire us.
The show could be agonising, the dance floor a crucible of ridicule and derision where those ill-suited to professional dancing are laughed off the stage. Instead, simply taking part is lauded with as much sincerity and dignity as becoming a potential finalist.
Our children are mesmerised by the work ethic of the indefatigable novices who struggle to learn and execute a new dance routine every week but can still take criticism on the chin. We all love the show’s sense of humour, the good nature of the participants and, above all, the graciousness of the losers and how well they speak of their team mates.
I have no idea what goes on backstage and it could all be contrived for the camera but there are no primadonnas, no temper tantrums and no evidence of posturing or arrogance. The participants just seem genuinely thrilled to be given the opportunity to take part.
Our bouncy five-year-old waltzes around the room mimicking the dancers, thankfully there is not a ‘twerk’ in sight. Our boys admire the strength and poise of the male dancers and marvel at their seemingly endless stamina.
The grown-ups turn off their phones, order a take-out and lose themselves in a few hours of wonderful family TV.
Even if it is just an illusion, it is delightful, unmissable bliss. Roll on season 13.