JADAR

★★★★★

Giovanni Pernice, the most successful dancer in Strictly history, has embarked on his latest tour. The Italian stallion is now billed as just “Giovanni”, cementing his diva legacy alongside the likes of Pavarotti, Prince, and Shakira.

Giovanni has been touring annually since 2017, with yours truly reviewing every tour since 2021 (the only artist I’ve seen more is Sophie Ellis-Bextor!).

Produced by Strictly Theatre Co, headed by Paul and Elizabeth Irving, each tour has a new name and theme. Last year’s tour, Made in Italy, was, of course, inspired by Giovanni’s homeland and life so far, whilst this year’s theme is built around “entertainment”, which offers thematic versatility for the creatives but promises ample opportunity for a huge numbers.

Alongside Giovanni, the tour once again stars Lauren Oakley (now a Strictly star herself) as Giovanni’s leading lady (or “Lead Dancer”), Dance Captain Pasquale La Rocca (a Guinness World Record holder and 5 x Dancing with the Stars champion), dancer Berhan Mitchell (Dance Captain in the original cast of La Bamba!) dancer and singer Katie Ella Dunsden (original UK casts of On Your Feet! and Moulin Rouge!), dancer Seamus McIntosh (a National Latin dance finalist), dancer Alexandros Beshonges (So You Think You Can Dance? finalist), dancer Emily Layden-Fritz (former Elmhurst School of Ballet Associate), vocalist, keyboardist and guitarist Alex Turner (contestant on Pitch Battle with The 4Tune Tellers), vocalist and guitarist Connor Mellor (The Voice in The Barricade Boys), vocalist Liberty Stottor (Lead Vocalist in Adam Garcia’s Emerald City Tour), and drummer Jacob Booth (Calendar Girls first tour).

The simple and static but striking set is made up of two levels, with steps at either side leading to the top level. This year’s tour has an upgrade: a live band (or, as Giovanni jokes, “just two people”).

Prior to the show’s commencement, a prerecording played, in which Giovanni warmly welcomed the audience (women, their husbands, and a few gay men) to the show but told us that photography and filming are not allowed – because, when his hips are gyrating, he wants our undivided attention!

It was clear that, whilst this production feels more serious than the warm, Mediterranean Made in Italy, it was going to be no less personable and humorous, with Giovanni blurring the lines between dancer, presenter and stand-up comedian.

The show opened explosively, with a group routine, with Giovanni letting his dancers shine before rising from the top platform.

The opening number? Robbie Williams’ ‘Let Me Entertain You’, of course – performed by Connor Mellor, who channelled Freddie Mercury the entire performance.

Giovanni then stepped away from the action and spoke directly to the audience, which offered escapism from the heaviness, heat and intensity of the high-velocity routines.

Liberty Stotter then got her moment to shine, with a medley beginning with the other ‘Let Me Entertain You’ – from Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim’s musical Gypsy. Liberty, though less fiery than Connor, showcased her vocal prowess, especially in the following number, ‘Show Me How You Burlesque’ from Burlesque – in which she gave Xtina a run for her money!

The vocalists sometimes joined in for the less technical group routines whilst Giovanni, Katie Ella Dunsden and Alex Turney were allowed to show off their vocals at times.

The third number took us back a century, combining past and present with two electro-swing numbers: Charlie Puth’s ‘Betty Boop’ and Tape Five’s ‘Geraldines Routine’, the former requiring a little audience involvement vocally.

The tour opted to explore various mediums of entertainment, including musical theatre (which yours truly, a massive musicals fanatic, was very happy about). The troupe performed ‘A Musical’ from the musical comedy Something Rotten!, which samples various iconic musical songs. Giovanni and Connor took the lead – if the Rep decide to bring back the covid-cancelled UK premiere of the musical, they have the Nostradamus and Nick casting sorted!

The first act also highlighted 80s female entertainers: Bananarama’s ‘Venus’, Blondie’s ‘Call Me’, Toni Basil’s ‘Mickey’, Heart’s ‘Alone’, and the Weather Girls’ ‘Raining Men’. The cast donned camp 80s clothing, from colourful gym wear to outlandish suits with shoulder pads – like Dynasty but gayer – complete with lit-up umbrellas.

After the interval, we flashed forward to the 90s with Destiny’s Child ‘Survivor’ – with a zestful routine which brought the energy right back up.

Perhaps the highlight of the show was the routine which involved a participant from the audience. Giovanni, who does not take himself too seriously, usually chooses a man to be his participant, challenging conservative attitudes whilst also playing around and having fun. However, good luck finding a man in Gio’s estrogen-heavy audience – or at least a man willing to come up: Lauren had to approach three men before finding a willing participant – but she found a good’en!

The cast serenaded and seduced the more-than-willing participant, with Dance Captain Pasquale La Rocca all over him (at this point, I began to wish I’d been chosen!).

Giovanni appeared on top of the platform with pink wings and sang ‘Beauty School Dropout’ from Grease, before the participant (can you tell I can’t recall his name?) was taken to the back of the stage and dressed up like Cher, before being forced to lead a ‘Strong Enough’ number – and he had the time of his life!

The penultimate number – the last before the big finale – slowed things down a little, which ostensibly sounds a little out of place but, in actuality, it was a nice contrast. It allowed the cast to explore more delicate emotions – contrasting the rest of the piece, which is very much about “performance” – and also showcase other dance styles. It was also quite strategic: by slowing things down, the fast-paced finale felt even bigger and bolder. Everything about this production was well thought out; the creatives know what they’re doing – and they do it so well.

Perhaps my favourite number was Giovanni’s dance with fellow Italian dancer Pasquale La Rocca, which was simultaneously sensual and masculine, with both men even spinning the other around. The number was so sexy that, for a brief moment, everyone in the audience – including postmenopausal women and cisgender men – fell pregnant.

I must shoutout Pasquale, who is one of the most mesmerising performers I have ever seen onstage. He has competed on five seasons of Dancing with the Stars (Belgian once, Irish twice and Italian twice) and won all five. He also holds the Guinness World Record for farthest distance danced by a couple – with Dianne Buswell.

I love how the ballroom community – spearheaded by Strictly over the past several series – has embraced same-sex dancing. Why can’t two men dance together? The suggestion that there must be a male and a female partner does not hold, for a man does not have to dance “like a man”, and most dance forms can work just fine with both performers taking on a masculine persona. Dancing is an art, and art is versatile and ever-evolving. Giovanni, especially, champions same-sex partnerships, with the aforementioned male participants and his happiness to dance with male dancers, including on Strictly.

The finale began with a dancer dressed like a mirror ball, reflecting light into the audience and preparing us for a disco. Whilst I love experimental fashion, I’m not always a fan of silver and gold together – however, the designers made it work, and these dancers are all so beautiful that they could even look good in orange and purple together (yes, this is a dig at the hideous colour pallette of the Lowry’s foyer).

The finale was built around a medley, which included Robyn S’s ‘Show Me Love’, Jennifer Lopez’ ‘Let’s Get Loud’, Gala’s ‘Freed From Desire’, and Tina Turner’s ‘Proud Mary’ – quite the mix of songs but it worked!

Giovanni made sure to rip off his top towards the end of the number, quenching and satisfying the insatiable thirst of the patient ladies who had been drooling for two hours straight – and who would have rioted had they not gotten to see his ripped body by the end of the show!

Giovanni has been touring every year since 2017, yet he manages to give each show its own unique identity. My only criticism of Him & Me was its lack of a clear theme; I appreciate that this allows for a range of stories and styles but I much prefer a show where all the segments are connected, even if only loosely. Giovanni and director/choreographer Alan Burkitt masterfully bring themes to life, from Italy to entertainment, whilst still showcasing a multitude of styles and stories.

I review like 100 shows annually but I will never tire of seeing Gio’s shows. The two hours of Italian heat help this brown boy, whose ancestors hail from a hot country, get through the cold, wet, British Winter. I already cannot wait for the next tour!

Giovanni Pernice tours the UK with Let Me Entertain You until April 30.

After a short break, he is back on tour with his bromantic partner Anton Du Beke from June 14 to July 21, which ends its run with a two-show day at The Lowry (Lyric Theatre).

Giovanni then tours the UK with The Last Dance (that title has me nervous – the last what?!) early next year, with full dates to be announced. It plays a matinée performance at The Lowry (Lyric Theatre) on January 26 2025.

Photo: Strictly Theatre Co