The opening night of Ukranian dancer and choreographer Nikita Kuzmin‘s Midnight Dancer was a fantastic showcase for the Strictly Come Dancing favourite. The audience at the Peacock buzzed with anticipation even before the show began.
From start to finish, Midnight Dancer was high-energy, full of mostly upbeat music and songs performed by the excellent Rebecca Lisewski. Nikita’s dance troupe (Andreea Toma, Sophie Baker, Thomas Charles, Lowri Hamilton, Samuel Lake, Charlotte Lee, Zara Liu, Seamus McIntosh, Daniel Rae) were young, energetic, and talented.
Toma leads as a glamorous movie starlet who is torn between her manipulative agent (McIntosh) and a dynamic hero (Nikita). As a digital clock on stage ticks towards midnight, will true love conquer all?
The choreography boasted an exciting variety of dance styles (jive, samba, tango, contemporary) with something to suit all tastes. Nikita’s personality shone through as he engaged with the audience throughout the show.
It was obvious to see why he’s at the top of his dancing game – he seems to have it all, talent by the bucket load and charisma. A fun night was had by everyone in a pulsing environment that captured the nightclub feel.
With stunning costumes by Rachael Ryan, set and lighting by Andrew Exeter, and pin-sharp sound by James Crichton, Midnight Dancer offered a fresh look at the Cinderella story through a modern lens while never forgetting the importance of the fairytale, the sequins and the power of the dance.
In Nikita’s first solo show, he raised the bar for further outings from his Strictly peers as he created drama, humour and intensity within his ser pieces.
This young artist clearly has much more to offer, and creative director and co-choreographer Tom Jackson Greaves is clearly in tune eith his vision.
5 stars all round!
Midnight Dancer continues at the Peacock until 22 March – tickets here , as part of a wider tour until 20 April.
Reviewer: Helen Cox
Image credit: Danny Kaan