“Remembering the Oscars” is the follow up show to “Remembering the Movies” starring Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara (of Strictly Come Dancing fame).
“Remembering the Oscars” is due to tour in 2022 in theatres with live audiences. Adapted for the Covid climate, this hour long version has been specially produced to stream online to ensure that even during the current restrictions, audiences can have a dose of Hollywood sparkle and magic from the comfort of their own living room. It is also a clever appetiser for the full show next year.
The show is an hour long and is packed from start to finish with Aljaz and Janette’s interpretations and reimaginings of Oscar winning film classic dance sequences, with quite a broad spectrum ranging from golden classics such as ‘Singing In The Rain’ to more modern productions such as ‘La La Land’. It begins with a ten minute montage of brief dance sequences from multiple films, introduced with the red carpet arrival of Aljaz and Janette – very in-keeping with the Oscar theme obviously.
As for the main event, it was split into sections, very much like the Oscars themselves, including “Best Actress”, “Best Choreographer” and “Best Film”. Within each section there were numerous dance sequences, full of glitz, glamour and sparkle. There is a good mix of dance styles with something to please everyone, ranging from the sophisticated American Smooth to the sultry Rumba – my particular favourite being the Argentine Tango which was danced to “Scent of a Woman”.
The final section was various interpretations of dance sequences from Disney films – to my mind this was a little protracted and I would have preferred more time to have been spent on the sequences in the earlier sections, some of which felt as if they had been cut short prematurely.
The show is interspersed with a little conversation from Aljaz and Janette, both very likeable, who are at pains to point out that there is a lot more to the full show and this is just a taster.
As you would expect, there is sparkling choreography, excellent musicality and dynamic staging with effective projected backdrops. Even without actually seeing it as a live performance, I did get the thrill that a show like this always delivers. It’s a bit like a delicious sequinned selection box.
It was strange for each number to end with no applause and at the end, a curtain call, also without applause. A haunting reminder of where we are at the moment.
Overall this is a smooth and polished production which is a pleasure to watch and is a wonderful hour of escapism. With vocals provided by singers Janine Johnson and Giovanni Spano and excellent filming which allows you to see all the dance moves and choreography up close, this is as fully rounded a theatrical experience as you can get in your living room; the plus point being that you do have a much better view of the dancers and the dancing than you usually get in the theatre. Get swept away on a (red) carpet of Hollywood glamour!
“Remembering the Oscars” is available to stream from 27th March to 17th April. For an extra small charge, you can also stream a 50 minute film “In Conversation with Aljaz and Janette” and a 30 minute film of behind the scenes of “Remembering the Oscars”. There’s also a downloadable programme included with your ticket. http://www.rememberingtheoscars.com/
Reviewer: Nicky Lambert
Reviewed: 24th March 2021
North West End UK Rating: ★★★★
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