By otakuyassine3@gmail.com 
Published: 30 November 2024
It’s curtain-up on the Strictly Come Dancing Musicals Week special on BBC One and BBC iPlayer this Saturday 30 November from 7.05pm. On Saturday, our professionals will open the show with a number from Little Shop of Horrors and our couples will perform routines inspired by some of the other best-loved musicals from across the decades.
In this Sunday’s Strictly Come Dancing Results show, there will be a very special performance of The Schuyler Sisters from the musical Hamilton. Alongside this, our professionals dance to a classic from Sunset Boulevard.
And before they take to the ballroom floor, we catch up with our couples to find out how they’re feeling about taking to the ballroom stage…
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Chris McCausland & Dianne Buswell
Did you take part in your high school musical/play, and if so, what was it and what role did you play?
Dianne: I’ve actually been in two musicals, Rock of Ages and Legally Blonde. This was when I was on a New York based cruise ship contract. They brought Broadway shows onboard, and I got to be part of those productions. I absolutely loved it, maybe even more than watching musicals!
Describe the worst audition you’ve ever had and what happened.
Chris: I don’t really do auditions. If someone wants me for something, they usually just approach me directly because I’m so niche.
Dianne: Auditions are more of a thing in the musical theatre world, not so much in Ballroom or Latin dancing. In that world, competitions are our version of auditions.
What’s your go-to feel-good show tune?
Dianne: Des’ree – Life.
Chris: I’ll stick with musicals. My daughter loves The Greatest Showman, I’ve watched it a hundred times at home with her. And I did The Royal Variety a few years ago and I was on with Keala Settle and I sat in an empty Royal Albert Hall the day before and she was on stage with all these drummers and she did This Is Me. Honestly, I really struggled not to cry, it was the most incredibly powerful moment. I love that song just because of that moment. I’ve seen a lot of heavy music, but that was one of the most powerful things I’ve ever sat through.
Musicals are known for their emotional highs – what’s been the most emotional moment of your Strictly journey?
Dianne: I would say our first dance was the most emotional for us because we both just thought ‘wow, we just achieved something that people though was impossible, and we even thought could have been impossible until we finished.’
Chris: I’d say getting through that first one was such a release and a relief of joy. And then the Waltz, doing that and knowing we’ve done good and then Blackpool with you getting all emotional and getting the tens.
We asked you before the first live show about any tactics/techniques you use to calm your nerves, now you’re over halfway through, have you developed any before each live show?
Dianne: He tries to change the choreography on me sometimes, and silly questions “You know on this bit Di, do I go back or forward!”
Chris: I try and tell myself to have fun, I think if I can go into it trying to have fun I’ll do better than if I go into it thinking I’ve got to nail the steps. I also have to do a lucky trip to the toilet…
Of the Strictly couples, who’s most likely to break out into song and dance between takes? Any surprising song choices?
Dianne: It would’ve been Jamie. He was the type that could easily be persuaded, ‘don’t make me sing’ and then boom!
If your partner were a director, what director’s note would they always be giving you?
Chris: “Stop being negative, if you get yourself in a negative frame of mind it’ll affect your performance.”
Dianne: I’m always telling him that! What does Chris say to me, “Di, take six seconds and breathe!”
Chris: It’s like a tsunami of words, I’m like “Di I can’t take this in.” I say, “Count to six in your head, breathe deeply, and then pick the two things that you would like to be prioritised!”
Imagine the whole cast is putting on a musical together – who’s playing the hero, the villain, and the comic relief?
Chris: I think Pete would be the hero, I think he’d make a fantastic hero he’s got all the characteristics of the guy that doesn’t consider himself to be the centre of universe. I think Sarah would make a great villain and I think Vito would be the comic relief.
JB Gill & Lauren Oakley
What’s your earliest memory of seeing a musical?
JB: I think my earliest memory of seeing a musical must be The Lion King. I don’t remember how old I was, but my aunts and uncles had come over from the Caribbean, and it was one of those things we did to show them around.
Lauren: I grew up watching movie musicals, especially the classic ones, but my earliest memory of seeing one live was Cats. My sister and I used to watch Cats on VHS every Saturday after our morning theatre school. Then she won a newspaper competition to visit the theatre, where we got a tour, saw the cast doing their makeup, and watched the show.
JB: And now you’ve got four cats…
Lauren: Oh my gosh, that explains everything!
Did you take part in your high school musical/play, and if so, what was it and what role did you play?
JB: Yes, I was always involved in musicals. The standout for me was The Hot Mikado, where I played the Mikado. I was also always involved in singing and choir.
Lauren: I was Mary in the nativity. I was also Magical Mr. Mistoffelees in Cats, Truly Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang and Tessie in Annie.
If you could step into any famous musical role for a day, which one would it be and why?
JB: It would probably be The Lion King. I love the soundtrack, the songs, and I grew up watching the cartoon. It’s one of those films and musicals that’s an absolute classic – they get it right every time.
Lauren: Velma Kelly in Chicago, without a doubt. I remember watching it when it came out when I was about 12, and my nan took me to the cinema to see it.
Describe the worst audition you’ve ever had and what happened.
JB: My only real audition was with JLS, and we all know how that turned out. I did audition for Wicked as a young adult – musicals have never really been my thing, but I wanted to explore and see how it would go. Not getting it wasn’t a disaster because I believe everything happens for a reason.
What’s your go-to feel-good show tune?
JB: Probably A Whole New World from Aladdin. I saw it on Broadway, and it was amazing.
Lauren: You Can’t Stop the Beat from Hairspray.
Musicals are known for their emotional highs – what’s been the most emotional moment of your Strictly journey?
JB: The most emotional moment was probably Couple’s Choice week. It was deeply moving to reflect on my journey, including JLS and its impact on my family. I never watch the VTs before performing. I always wait to watch them back afterward.
Lauren: Couple’s Choice because the scores were amazing. It was all JB but they were also the highest scores I’ve had on Strictly which was lovely. But also the feeling of knowing I can choreograph a high scoring routine the following week for our Samba.
We asked you before the first live show about any tactics/techniques you use to calm your nerves, now you’re over halfway through, have you developed any before each live show?
JB: No, nothing new. We pretty much do the same. Always speak some positive affirmations and say a prayer before the show starts and that’s pretty much it.
Lauren: Just follow what JB needs. I’m not that superstitious because I believe you create your own luck.
Of the Strictly couples, who’s most likely to break out into song and dance between takes? Any surprising song choices?
JB: The most likely to break out into song is probably Sarah. She came from a theatrical background so it’s in her.
Lauren: I’d say me actually. I’m always singing and it’s often JLS!
If your partner were a director, what director’s note would they always be giving you?
JB: “Arms, arms, arms.”
Lauren: “Make more sense.”
If your Strictly journey were a musical, what would be its title, and what genre would it fall under? (Think: comedy, tragedy, rom-com…)
JB: It would be a feel-good comedy I reckon.
Lauren: The Bright Side of Life. And it would be all-singing, all- dancing, and there would be fun, comedy, love and plenty of jazz hands.
Imagine the whole cast is putting on a musical together – who’s playing the hero, the villain, and the comic relief?
JB: I’ve got to play the hero because why not, the villain has to be Craig obviously, and the comic relief would be Chris our resident comedian.
Lauren: The hero would be Claudia Winkleman because I want to be her when I grow up. The comic relief would be Anton Du Beke and the villain would be Vito. Not because he’s a villain but he’d be able to play the role really well and exaggerate the character.
If you could take the Strictly cast on a night out to see any West End or Broadway show, what would it be?
JB: Mrs Doubtfire because I saw that most recently and it’s unreal.
Lauren: Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club. We could all dress up. It’s really artistic and I like the idea of us all sitting on round tables.
Montell Douglas & Johannes Radebe
What’s your earliest memory of seeing a musical?
Montell: To be honest, my earliest memory of a theatre show was The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre in 2009. It was just after the Olympics, and I went for my birthday in January. I was blown away – the animals walking down the aisle, I was like what is going on! I had only ever seen musicals on TV, seeing it live was mind-blowing. That’s when I fell in love with musical theatre and decided to go to as many shows as possible.
Johannes: It was quite late in my life but the first musical I saw was Chicago in New York. I was just like this is where I belong. I realised you could combine singing, acting, and dancing and tell a story and that for me was quite powerful.
Did you take part in your high school musical/play, and if so, what was it and what role did you play?
Montell: Yes, in secondary school, I was in Guys and Dolls. I played Lieutenant Brannigan, I think. It was in the school hall, and I have vague memories of the role. Earlier in year six, we had a mashup play where we had four Marys and four Josephs for the nativity – wild scenes!
Johannes: No unfortunately, I was the only artist among my peers! Everyone else was into soccer or boxing. I wasn’t interested in that, so I spent my time with my VHS tapes of The Lion King.
If you could step into any famous musical role for a day, which one would it be and why?
Johannes: Lola in Kinky Boots, obviously. What’s your go-to feel-good show tune?
Montell: Hakuna Matata from The Lion King, I’ve played it like five times this week.
Johannes: You know what makes me emotional, From Now On from The Greatest Showman, doesn’t matter where I am if that comes on, I need to find a corner and sob. It doesn’t matter how happy I am, they’re coming.
Musicals are known for their emotional highs – what’s been the most emotional moment of your Strictly journey?
Montell: That’s tough. For me, there are lots of standout moments. But the first was meeting you [to Johannes] – it was such a pivotal, emotional moment. Looking back now, it’s wild to think how far we’ve come.
Johannes: I think for me finishing the Viennese Waltz. Hearing you giggle at the end made me realise you were happy, and that made me emotional. I cried all the way home afterward.
We asked you before the first live show about any tactics/techniques you use to calm your nerves, now you’re over halfway through, have you developed any before each live show?
Johannes: We always try to laugh.
Montell: It makes a difference, it calms your nerves.
Of the Strictly couples, who’s most likely to break out into song and dance between takes? Any surprising song choices?
Johannes: Montell! But the second person would have been Jamie.
Montell: I was going to say Jamie too. He was usually singing and dancing around doing his Rumba walks.
If your Strictly journey were a musical, what would be its title, and what genre would it fall under? (Think: comedy, tragedy, rom-com…)
Both: Guy and Dolls: Bottoms Up!
Imagine the whole cast is putting on a musical together – who’s playing the hero, the villain, and the comic relief?
Both: The comic relief would have to be Dianne and Chris – they’re hilarious! For the villain, Shirley would make a great one – like Elphaba from Wicked. As for the hero, it would have to be Jojo!
If you could take the Strictly cast on a night out to see any West End or Broadway show, what would it be?
Montell: Obviously Kinky Boots!
Pete Wicks & Jowita Przystal
What’s your earliest memory of seeing a musical?
Jowita: He’s never even seen one!
Pete: Earlier when I watched 15 seconds on YouTube of the routine we’ll be doing for Musicals Week.
If you could step into any famous musical role for a day, which one would it be and why?
Pete: When everyone talks about Disney characters, they tell me I’d be Scar, so it would have to be The Lion King. Is it obvious?
Jowita: Absolutely, you even look like him!
Pete: Or Bill Sykes from Oliver! too. He loves dogs, he has Bullseye.
Describe the worst audition you’ve ever had and what happened.
Jowita: I had one. I was about eight years old and auditioned for Oliver! I wanted to be a dancer but they asked me to sing so I ran away.
What’s your go-to feel-good show tune?
Pete: Not a show tune, but Dancing In the Moonlight by Toploader. JOWITA: Anything from Moulin Rouge because it’s my favourite musical.
Musicals are known for their emotional highs – what’s been the most emotional moment of your Strictly journey?
Pete: Our Couple’s Choice.
We asked you before the first live show about any tactics/techniques you use to calm your nerves, now you’re over halfway through, have you developed any before each live show?
Jowita: This week we touched toes. Like a high five but with feet.
Of the Strictly couples, who’s most likely to break out into song and dance between takes? Any surprising song choices?
Pete: It would’ve been Wynne or Jamie. They loved a little sing song. JOWITA: Maybe JB?
If your partner were a director, what director’s note would they always be giving you?
Pete: “Smile more.”
Jowita: Yes!
If your Strictly journey were a musical, what would be its title, and what genre would it fall under? (Think: comedy, tragedy, rom-com…)
Pete: The Beginning of the End. Tragedy.
Imagine the whole cast is putting on a musical together – who’s playing the hero, the villain, and the comic relief?
Pete: The hero would be Tasha because she’s an amazing dancer, the comic relief would be Chris and the villain is obvious… well it could only be me.
If you could take the Strictly cast on a night out to see any West End or Broadway show, what would it be?
Pete: Cabaret?
Jowita: That’s probably your vibe. Dark humour.
Sarah Hadland & Vito Coppola
What is your earliest memory of seeing a musical?
Sarah: My dad took me to see 42nd Street at Drury Lane when I was a teenager. I remember because I went and got a dress and some court shoes to go with it. Catherine Zeta Jones was on for Peggy Sawyer, I think she was the understudy but she went on that night. 42nd Street is all about an understudy that gets to go on and she becomes a big star.
And Catherine Zeta Jones, who’s now a massive Hollywood superstar, went on and she was incredible. She’s an amazing dancer. We were right up in the gods but I just loved everything about being in a theatre that big so I was really blown away by that. Having said that, and I’ve been in musicals myself, but I don’t like it when they just suddenly step forward and sing for no reason.
Vito: Mine was Grease. The first one I watched when I came to the UK was Moulin Rouge. Since I’ve been in the UK, I have started to watch more and more musicals.
Did you take part in school plays?
Sarah: We didn’t really do drama at secondary school but in primary I was Snow White in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and I was the white lady in the White Lady of Blenkinsop. It was a ghost story and I came out the side of the school hall, and the teacher threw a ball of talcum powder over me and I went straight back on as the ghost. I remember being so nervous. I must have been nine or ten. I remember thinking, I like this. It’s very theatrical and very dramatic and I was like I’m here for this.
Vito: I did once, and I was very happy, because there was this musical based on animals and I was a donkey. I was so happy to be a donkey. There are no pictures because I think my family was ashamed! Everyone was such a cool animal and there I was as a donkey. I had a few lines and then I joined the chorus. At the end we all had to switch on torches and the only torch that didn’t work was mine and I started to cry in the middle of the musical.
Describe any bad auditions you’ve ever had.
Sarah: When I was auditioning for Starlight Express. I must have been about 18 or 19, I bought a pair of roller boots from an advert in a newspaper. That’s how long ago it was. I went and practiced in the park with no padding, no helmet and I couldn’t do it. Went to Pineapple Dance Studio, got into the back of the studio, holding onto the ballet bar and stood at the back. When they called my name, I just rolled down and stopped when I bumped into the desk. They instantly knew I couldn’t skate so I had to leave.
Vito: I remember my first competition. I was so excited to get in the competition but because I couldn’t recognise the music. I literally stopped in the middle of the floor and I started to cry quite a lot. One kid literally crashed on me as he didn’t see me, so I got hit in the eye. The next day, I had a black eye and also I fell over afterwards so the next day I had two bruised knees and a black eye. I didn’t want to compete for months after that. It was quite a traumatic first competition.
What is your go to feel good show tune?
Vito: Grease, because I always sing, You’re The One That I Want.
Sarah: I love that you never know the words and it’s not an obstacle in any way.
Vito: I like that song because I can double up and sing both parts!
Sarah: That’s quite a hard one isn’t it. I’ve been to see the new production of Starlight Express twice and I love that. I’m really enjoying Light At The End Of The Tunnel at the moment.
Musicals are known for their emotional highs. What’s been the most emotional high moment of your Strictly journey?
Sarah: Maybe Birds of a Feather? That was quite emotional for me and I got quite choked at the end. It feels like a life of time ago.
Vito: Birds of a Feather was definitely the one where I felt the most. We felt emotional and it was from our heart for both of us. In everything, in the choreography, it was all emotional and felt in another dimension.
Before you go out to dance, do you have anything like a good luck charm that you guys do together?
Sarah: You always get me to hold your hands.
Vito: I always take your hands and close our eyes and we synchronise our breath, usually like three to five deep breaths. We open our eyes and we are ready to go. We need to just connect with each other.
Of the Strictly couples, who is the most likely to break out into song in the corridors?
Sarah: Well it was Jamie definitely. He was always like ‘Come on, Sar, do a sliding door with me. Come on, Sar. Sar, do you know this song, Sar,’ I adore Jamie. I love everybody actually, we’ve become this gang of people. There’s not a single person that I wouldn’t happily go for a coffee with or a drink with and just feel really happy to be in their company. That’s why I think the Samba-Thon was such good fun because nobody took it too seriously we were all having a good laugh.
If you were each other’s director, what’s the director’s note that they would always be giving you?
Sarah: You’re always telling me to slow down, calm down, listen. That wouldn’t be the first time I’ve heard all those things.
Vito: Don’t be too loud she always tells me!
If your Strictly journey were a musical, what would the title be and what would the genre be?
Vito: Trilly and Vito in Wonderland.
Sarah: it would be very upbeat and fast. Very loud, action packed.
Vito: The Glitterball would be present and all of the Strictly cast of this year.
If you had the whole of the Strictly cast, who is the hero, who is the villain, and who is the comedian in the musical?
Sarah: Well, Chris is the comedian. The hero would be Punam. I think Merce would make a good villain. Paul Merson, I could imagine him doing an evil ha ha ha ha.
If you could take the Strictly cast on a night out to see any musical, which one would you pick?
Sarah: The Lion King. I saw it recently and I loved it.
Tasha Ghouri & Aljaž Škorjanec
What’s your earliest memory of seeing a musical?
Tasha: My earliest memory of seeing a musical is The Lion King on the West End.
Aljaž: Probably Wicked in London.
Did you take part in your high school musical/play, and if so, what was it and what role did you play?
Tasha: In primary school, I was an angel in the nativity. I think I played a little triangle.
Aljaž: Back in the day in Slovenia we didn’t really do that so sadly not.
If you could step into any famous musical role for a day, which one would it be and why?
Tasha: I think Glinda from Wicked, princess vibes.
Aljaž: I would love to play Roxie Hart in Chicago just for one day. TASHA: Oh, slay.
What’s your go-to feel-good show tune?
Tasha: Ooh, Dear Evan Hansen. That song You Will Be Found.
Aljaž: Mine would be The Hills Are Alive from The Sound of Music.
Musicals are known for their emotional highs – what’s been the most emotional moment of your Strictly journey?
Tasha: I think getting our first 40 because I wasn’t expecting it. It was really emotional. We danced with our hearts and forgot everybody was there.
Aljaž: For me, it was when we got paired up. I remember walking through the door and seeing Tasha and thinking ‘this is going to be brilliant.’
We asked you before the first live show about any tactics/techniques you use to calm your nerves, now you’re over halfway through, have you developed any before each live show?
Aljaž: I like the one we do before every single dance and every time we walk out onto the ballroom floor. We have a little chat, a little big up moment and then we both step on the floor at exactly the same time. I feel like that’s how we stay in a little bubble for the whole weekend.
Of the Strictly couples, who’s most likely to break out into song and dance between takes? Any surprising song choices?
Aljaž: I don’t think it’s any of the couples, it’s Carlos. Carlos has a new tradition of singing to the audience when we’re doing takes. Other than that it was Wynne who was always singing at the start of the competition.
Tasha: Sometimes I do as well. I like to sing sometimes.
If your partner were a director, what “director’s note” would they always be giving you?
Tasha: What would you give me? I probably don’t have any for you.
Aljaž: I feel like I go ‘right, we need to do it with emotion on Wednesday’ but you say ‘I can do it so much better when the audience is there!’
If your Strictly journey were a musical, what would be its title, and what genre would it fall under? (Think: comedy, tragedy, rom-com…)
Tasha: Mine would definitely be like, The Life of Tasha. It would be a life story with love, tragedy, comedy… a bit of everything. Legally Blonde vibes.
Aljaž: I’m happy to be a part of your story. A little character in it.
Imagine the whole cast is putting on a musical together – who’s playing the hero, the villain, and the comic relief?
Tasha: The villain would be Craig, the hero could be Claudia…
Aljaž: I think Anton would be a good hero. Imagine him in a muscle suit. Then Claudia would be the comic relief.
If you could take the Strictly cast on a night out to see any West End or Broadway show, what would it be?
Tasha: Kinky Boots.
Aljaž: Nice! I would say Six. Let’s take everyone to see Six.
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