Viva La Diva

Published Thursday 13 December 2007 at 13:15 by Katie Colombus

I’m sure that when Darcey Bussell gave her farewell performance at the Opera House in June, she swore she wouldn’t be doing any more dancing.

But, seemingly, opera hot-stuff Katherine Jenkins has persuaded her otherwise. The two have paired up in a show that allows them “live out their childhood dreams”. The result is a self-indulgent two hours that pays lip service to fans of Strictly Come Dancing and Strictly Ballroom-type popular dance. Those willing to shell out for dance and opera celebrity are in the right place. However, those looking for a dose of sophistication and artistry will be sorely disappointed.

The root of the problem is that the classical training of these two is usurped by a desire to perform jazz and musical theatre. At times this works, but a lot of the time, it doesn’t. And you can’t quite block out the whispers from audience members that these two performers have somehow “cheapened themselves” in this process of non-creation. Certainly, for those balletomanes used to seeing a virginal Bussell playing the role of the dying swan, it will come as a rude shock to see her grinding her hips in a backing dancer’s face in a cabaret number.

The stage is set up like a Las Vegas parlour - white stucco and a live band either side of the split-level stage. Bussell and Jenkins live out their dress-up fantasy by telling us that they are “paying tribute” to the showbiz greats of history - Bussell by simple tap routines and flamenco steps as well as the aforementioned jazz hands, and Jenkins by belting out Broadway hits. But it’s hardly worth discussing how either sang or danced as artistic integrity has clearly made way for bus loads of OAPs from Suffolk.

Unfortunately neither “diva” sparkled nearly as much as their heavily glitter-spangled gowns.