The Magic Of Hollywood with Pasha Kovalev, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre - review
Strictly Come Dancing regular Pasha Kovalev brought a touch of Hollywood glitter and glamour to the Grand in a highly entertaining two-hour show last night.
Joined by his professional dance partner Anya Garnis, the show focused on Pasha's dream of Hollywood's golden era.
It was a little corny, but it was a perfect excuse for some dazzling dance routines including the Russian ballroom dancer's own take on the classic Gene Kelly Singin' In The Rain number; minus the splashes as the rain was back-projected.
Forty youngsters from Wolverhampton's Linzi G School of Dance contributed two high-energy routines. They will no doubt long remember when Pasha and Anya danced with them on stage.
Economy of scale meant recorded music rather than a band, but live singer Britt Lenting put in a powerful performance, from Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy to I Will Always Love You.
Pasha and Anya were joined by a team of four excellent dancers, Domenico Palmisano, Lisa Welham, Nina Geric and Valerio La Pietra.
Highlights included a Charleston danced to an electro-swing version of Puttin' On The Ritz and a tango to a Latin version of Roxanne that saw Slavic beauty Anya take the starring role.
But the show-stopping moments came when Pasha invited three ladies from the audience to join him for some routines and besotted fan Wendy took full advantage during You Can Leave Your Hat On.
Poor Pasha probably still has the bruises from being squeezed so much.
