The present Mrs Smith will tell you I’m not exactly Fred Astaire when it comes to the dance floor. Dancing is not exactly my forte and there is a strong suspicion I have two left feet. So, when said Mrs Smith said she fancied seeing Somewhere in Time – An Audience with Ian Waite and Natalie Lowe at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall on Saturday my attitude wasn’t so much a ‘it’s a ten from Len’ but ‘on yer bike from Mike’.
However, two of the stars BBC Television’s Strictly Come Dancing provided fine entertainment which, being The Edinburgh Reporter’s Hearts correspondent, made a pleasant change for me in recent weeks.
Ian Waite and Natalie Lowe have developed a whole new show with newly choreographed routines of their favourite Ballroom and Latin dances. New music developed to accompany these dances provide fans – and those like me who are not so acquainted with their work – a feel-good factor with a touch of pure romance (something else I’m not acquainted with but that’s another story)
However, the talented duo must have felt their hearts sink when they danced on to the stage at the beginning of the show on Saturday evening – before them lay rows of empty seats with the Usher Hall less than half full.
That said, the stars didn’t let the sparse attendance affect them. Indeed, Ian made good humour from it (‘Thank you for coming to our show which has sold out across the country – apart from here’ he said with a grin)
Ian was humourous throughout although I found his double-entendres a bit wearisome after a while. There was a touch of the Dale Winton about him although I’m not sure he’ll thank me for that.
However, the dance showcase spectacular provided its appreciative audience excellent entertainment, with lots of laughs and stories along the way. Ian and Natalie danced a mix of Ballroom and Latin with fun-filled entertainment and a close-up history of all things related to their life.
They were ably supported by singers Luke Upton and Cara Dudgeon who both gave powerful individual performances as well as performing with Ian and Natalie.
The second half of the show included Ian and Natalie hosting a question and answer session. The production team might need to give some thought to this part of the evening as it seemed a tad drawn out and not in keeping with the high-energy levels of the rest of the show.
Nonetheless, for fans of Strictly Come Dancing – those in the capital city who turned out at least – it was good entertainment. Whether the show will return to Edinburgh again remains to be seen.
Edinburgh Reporter rating: ***
Author of The Team for Me - 50 Years of Following Hearts. Runs Mind Generating Success, a successful therapy practice in Edinburgh. Contact me if you want rid of any unwanted habits. Twitter @Mike1874
