EMMA DUNN meets the stars of a thrilling new dance show with a difference

IT FELT like I was having one of those weird dreams.

I was sitting backstage with Strictly Come Dancing stars Karen Hauer and Kevin Clifton with Wyvern Theatre marketing manager Richard Loftus, when there was a knock on the door.

It was Swoosh from Britain’s Got Talent dance act, Flawless. He had just come to say hi.

You could be forgiven for thinking I had been watching too many Saturday night television talent shows. But, in fact, I was in a dressing room in the Peacock Theatre in London two hours before a performance of Flash Mob, which is coming to the Wyvern Theatre on June 30.

And for anyone who loves a television talent show, it’s a dream come true.

Stars of Strictly, Britain’s got Talent, BBC’s So You Think You Can Dance and Sky 1’s Got To Dance have collaborated for this stunning show, which features a powerhouse of dance tracks, an emotional storyline and the inspiration to make you want to get up and join in.

Kevin, who partnered television presenter Susanna Reid in his first Strictly season last year, said: “Flash Mob includes a whole mix of different styles – Irish dancing, break dancing, street dancing, and Karen and I are bringing the Latin and ballroom dancing to the show.

“We have all been brought together and we’re all allowed to choreograph our own pieces and bring our own ideas into the show.

“We have also collaborated on bigger production numbers mixing all the styles together.

“A lot of the time ballroom dancing gets cornered off and wouldn’t mix with others, but getting to do this show with people like Flawless is awesome.”

Karen said they were both most proud of the Smooth Criminal dance section, which kicks off the second act.

Kevin added: “That was something we really wanted to do. We choreographed it and put it together and suddenly we were surrounded by all these amazing dancers with different styles.

“It was exciting because then they would go ‘what about if I did it like this?’. It became this whole exciting thing. Our job is just playing really.”

The result is incredible, a beautiful combination of diverse styles that nobody would ever have expected to work together.

From the rhythmic tapping of Irish dancers Brosena to the beautiful moves of contemporary dance duo Alleviate, featuring Nicolette Whitley and Renako McDonald, the show is faultless.

Dance Critics Choice winner and Olivier nominee Tommy Franzén, and street dance act Flawless ensure it’s impossible to leave the show without a smile on your face.

The highlight though comes from Karen and Kevin during a performance to Emeli Sande’s Clown, which is a stunning interpretation of the song.

The tour comes to an end in August, when the couple, who hope to get married next summer, will have a week off before starting Strictly Come Dancing rehearsals for the new series of the show.

Kevin said: “It’s going to be difficult for me to top last year’s Strictly.

“With Susanna it went really well and we made it to the final. There’s only one way of topping that and that’s winning.

“It’s going to be mental this year because not only am I competing against Karen but my sister is coming on to the show too.”

The couple don’t yet know who they will be partnered with, and Karen, who was paired with Hairy Biker Dave Myers last year, said it was fun whether the celebrity had experience or not.

She said: “It’s fun either way – the job is still intense because you’re teaching someone to dance from scratch. You have to figure out every possible way of teaching someone a step.

“I have learnt how to do basic at the extreme and I have learnt how to lead a man. You learn a lot about yourself and how to be patient. It helps you as a dancer.

“It’s a great experience and it’s a great job. If you get along with your celebrity and have a good relationship that tops it off even more. You become great friends and the fact they have loved being on Strictly is the best bit for us.”

 The performance of Flash Mob at the Wyvern Theatre is at 7.30pm on June 30. For tickets, which are £26 for adults or £16.50 for under 16s, call 01793 524481 or visit swindontheatres.co.uk