There’s glitz! There’s glamour! And a whole lot of sparkle!

Strictly Come Dancing legends Brendan Cole, James Jordan, Pasha Kovalev, Vincent Simone, and Ian Waite are touring across the UK, bringing the magic of Las Vegas directly to your local theatre.

Now, I must admit, I am not a massive Strictly Come Dancing fan, but even I cannot deny the talent on that stage. The five stars are joined by five other fantastic female dancers. In some parts, the stars do individual duets with another female dancer, each bringing a different personality and energy. In others, they come together for a big ensemble piece, creating a much grander spectacle. High kicks, lifts, twirls, drama… it has it all!

Unfortunately, I can’t fully appreciate a couple of dance sequences because the lights are too flashy and bright. By the end of those sequences, I have blinked so much my eyes have started watering. Las Vegas might be the city that never sleeps, but those lights nearly have me closing my eyes for good. That said, set and lighting designer Joshua Palmer still does a great job with dramatic spotlights and bursts of colour.

Costume designer Carol Howard creates incredible outfits which transport you straight into Las Vegas’s glitz and glamour, with bold colours and tons of sequins. The sparkle catches the light beautifully, adding to the extravagance and making every dance number feel like a show-stopping Vegas spectacular. Some women’s costumes feature long, flowing skirts that accentuate their impressive spins. Other costumes tell a story, like the short white dresses in the chapel sequence.

Between dances, the stars join on stage and tell jokes to the audience. I’ll be honest: comedy isn’t their strongest talent in my opinion. Many jokes consist of sexual innuendo and taking the mick out of fellow stars. It feels like a group of men who got one laugh and immediately decided to launch their stand-up careers. I also think a large problem is that it feels too scripted and therefore inauthentic.

But please don’t let these critiques put you off seeing the show. The audience around me finds them hilarious while I wait for the next dance number. At the end of the day, the dancing is the real draw. When the show ends, the packed audience rises for a standing ovation, proving that, despite my personal reservations, the show clearly delivers an entertaining evening.

So, if you love Strictly, sequins and spectacular dancing, this Vegas-inspired night out could be right up your street… just perhaps bring sunglasses for the lighting. You can find tickets on their website and tour dates in our previous post. https://eastmidlandstheatre.com/2026/10/14/promo-the-legends-in-vegas-after-hours-uk-tour/