Follow the twists and turns of The Greatest Dancer
THE GREATEST DANCER: CATCHING UP WITH A COACH
Dance acts compete to win about R1m and a chance to perform on Strictly Come Dancing.
Former Strictly Come
Dancing champion and former judge Alesha Dixon and street dance group Diversity’s Jordan Banjo, will return as hosts for the second season of The Greatest
Dancer from next month.
The latest season will showcase some incredible auditions, amazing talent and lots of surprises as dancers give the performance of their lives every Saturday night on BBC Brit (DStv channel 120) at 8pm. The show will see dancers of all ages and dance styles compete to win £50 000 (about R1 million) and a chance to perform on Strictly Come Dancing.
TV’s Matthew Morrison is one of the captains. You might know him as a Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated Broadway legend and star of hit TV series Glee, and more recently American Horror Story. He says this about the new season of the dance show:
How does it feel to be back for series two?
It feels so good to be back for series two. We are back with a vengeance. It’s very exciting. It’s very fresh, it feels like a brand new show. I feel like we all got together, we had a baby, and his name is Todrick and he is just a joy to be around. He is just so vivacious, energetic, fun, exciting and his commentary is top.
Speaking of Todrick, how has it been welcoming him to the team, has Todrick changed the dynamic?
Todrick has completely changed the dynamic of the show. I used to have these two beautiful ladies all to myself, but now Todrick has come in and he’s sitting next to Cheryl. He’s just so much fun to be around and when he speaks he gives his critique to the contestants. I learned so much from him myself. He’s just got this light about him and I really just enjoy being around him.
Have you done anything different to prepare for the second series? Have you come in with a game plan?
I do have a little bit of a game plan coming into the second series but I won’t say too much. I am going to try to pick more solo acts though as opposed to big groups, but who knows if that will be possible! It’s going to be tough so you will just have to wait and see...
Would you say the standard of talent has increased this time around?
The pool of talent that came in to audition this year has been really top notch.
Were there any dance styles you would like to see more of during auditions?
Last series we got to see a little Hawaiian hula dance. I just love that so I wish I would have seen that this year, but it didn’t happen. What we got this year was a lot of contemporary and a lot of street, and there were a couple things in between. I think those were the two styles that people are doing these days or that really connect with people, so I think that’s what we got the most of.
Do you have a standout moment from auditions?
The standout moment for me was Harrison; watching him just from the reception room. How he just stayed in character the whole way through, and to see him dance was such a spectacle. He is a phenomenal performer, dancer and actor.
There were a few decisions made by the studio audience last series with the mirror not opening. Did that happen again?
We definitely had some moments where the mirror did not open for some really talented people, but I think that’s the beauty about the show. We, as Dance Captains, are looking at things very technically and we’re seeing lines and what people are doing, but at the at the end of the day it has to strike a chord with the audience member.
They’re strong, so strong, technically as dancers, but they just don’t have that thing that kind of resonates to a larger audience. I think that is the great thing about the show.
What can we expect from Team Ma hew?
What are you bringing to series two? This series Todrick said something that really struck a chord with me.
I want to inspire people and it doesn’t matter who wins the show at the end of the day, it’s about the connection that you have with your acts, and the knowledge that you can impart on them, to help them with the rest of their lives and their careers.
How are you feeling about choosing your final three?
Have you got an idea of what kind of dancers you want on your team? For my final three, I would love to have dancers that tell a great story. I’ve said it so many times, but I’m all about storytelling and just people that can connect dance and movement to telling a beautiful, well-thoughtout intricate story.
You came close to winning last year does it make you more determined this time around?
Yeah, I’m excited to win this year. I think it’s my year. You know, ladies first, I was being very chivalrous last year so this year, I feel like I know what the game is. I know what my game plan is, which I’m not going to divulge everything to you, but I’m excited to take home the trophy this year or have my act take home the trophy.