Review: NADIYA & KAI: ONCE UPON A TIME, B:Music - Tour
Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington. Two Strictly Come Dancing professionals who found love on and off the dance floor are now taking their debut UK tour on the road.
The Ballroom and Latin dance extravaganza takes a similar format to other previous Strictly pro touring shows, with a relatively straight forward set up in order to place the focus on the dancing as it should be. Four screens sit equidistant at the top of a set of treads, which are utilised brilliantly during the routines, showing us clips of the couple when they were younger and what has brought them to where they are today; all of which contribute towards the warm feeling of the evening.
The couple are utterly mesmerising when dancing together, with plenty of sizzle and sparks flying between them. They are accompanied on stage by six other brilliantly talented professional dancers including Chloe Hewitt who many may recognise from previous Strictly series. Nadiya and Kai generously give them their time to shine but always pull focus with their tall presence and evident charisma in the larger group numbers.
The music selection and mash-ups throughout the show are inspired and this greatly contributes to the success of the evening. Tomas Wolstenholme provides live vocals for select songs, with his raspy tone particularly shining during ‘Toxic’. This is a nice balance with the pre-recorded tracks. From Lady Gaga to the Eurythmics, and The White Stripes to Beyonce, the show has everything covered. Occasionally there are some harsh transitions between songs but you truly get swept away with what’s in front of you so this doesn’t hold great importance here.
What is also admirable is how Nadiya and Kai have individual time to shine as well as collectively. Nadiya’s fashion segment is jaw droppingly good, and not just because of her daring outfit choices; whilst Kai’s Elvis routine also turns the temperature up a couple of notches with his snake hips given free reign!
Between the dance routines, Nadiya and Kai are given the opportunity to talk to their audience directly. Kai is a natural with a microphone in hand, whilst Nadiya is incredibly endearing but perhaps not quite as comfortable due to the language barrier. She navigates this well though and you can’t help but warm to her kind, sweet nature. This said, there are quite a few vocal exchanges between the pair which can be seen as a little on the saccharine side - entirely adorable but perhaps a bit much as times. Their chemistry when dancing speaks for itself and they are clearly a powerhouse couple to be reckoned with.
A joyful, warm evening of entertainment.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Jenny Ell
Nadiya & Kai: Once Upon a Time continues to tour until 7 May 2023, with further information here.
