'It can’t be long, in our opinion, until an Oscar is awarded for best choreography'.
Married Strictly professionals Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara are performing at De Montfort Hall tonight in a show that follows their sell-out show Remembering the Movies.
Tonight, 'Remember the Oscars' brings together songs, and of course dance, from hit films like Cabaret, Dirty Dancing and a whole section devoted to Disney movies including Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Mary Poppins and 'When You Wish Upon A Star' (from Pinocchio), a recurring theme throughout the whole show.
Janette said: "We’ll be reflecting some of the amazing choreography featured in films like La La Land, Flashdance and Chorus Line. It can’t be long, in our opinion, until an Oscar is awarded for best choreography."
The production will feature a cast of some of the best dancers based in the UK – four male, four female – a male and female singer, brand new stage design, eye-catching costumes and a huge LED screen featuring specially filmed content about which the two stars of the show will divulge not one word.
Getting to know the couple
One of Janette's favourite parts of the show is when she’ll get to do the slow, romantic numbers with her husband.
Whichever way you slice it, Aljaž is something of a heartthrob. Is she comfortable with that? "Absolutely," she says. "In fact, I find it quite complimentary. I’m very proud of him. The way I see it, I pick up some of the kudos. Other women might lust after him but I’m the one he comes home to!"
Aljaž commented: "If you’re in a strong relationship with someone else, it’s not inevitable that you’ll begin an affair with your dance partner. The rumba, the Argentine tango, both require you to put across physical attraction.
"But it doesn’t have to spill over to life away from the dance floor. In the end, any passion is manufactured. Dancing is acting. It’s telling a story with conviction. But it’s not real."
Aljaž loves the social life, he says, that comes with dancing.
He said: "I like to entertain; I’m fond of cooking. So, looking way into the future, I’d love to own a coffee shop or a bar one day. But, for now, there’s nothing I like better than performing."
"I hope we’re just as happy then as we are now,’ he says, simply. ‘I feel so happy and proud of everything we do every day."
Janette says: "The more time we spend together, the more the love deepens. I think about the future a lot. In 10 years’ time, children will be part of the picture. And I hope we’ll have a beautiful home out in the country. Health and happiness – they’re the goal.
"That’s what I wish upon a star."
Tickets are still available for tonight's performance at 7.30pm at De Montfort Hall.
