Sheffield City Hall – Wednesday 6th May 2026
Reviewed by Claire Moore
4****
Let’s Face The Music And Dance! sees Strictly Come Dancing favourites Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara return to the stage with a brand-new show celebrating the music that has sound tracked so many of our lives. From big band classics and musical theatre favourites to modern pop hits, the evening is a tribute to the songwriters, composers and producers behind the songs we all know and love.
Each section is made up of medleys of well-known songs from artists including Kate Bush, Cole Porter, Burt Bacharach and The Beatles. Aljaž and Janette are joined by a talented supporting cast of dancers and backed by live music from boogie woogie pianist Tom Seals and his Big Band, as well as the huge vocals of Jill Marie Cooper — and not many people can do Whitney Houston justice, but Jill Marie absolutely does.
Packed full of stunning dance routines and feel-good energy, the show also has plenty of humour, with Aljaž, Janette and Tom chatting naturally with the audience throughout. Nothing feels overly scripted or forced; it genuinely feels like they just want you to join them in their love of music and dance.
I’m always impressed watching the salsa, jive and ballroom routines on Strictly, but seeing this level of dance live on stage is something else entirely. The talent on stage is incredible, and at times there’s so much going on you hardly know where to look.
The whole show flows beautifully. I did initially wonder how six dancers would manage on what appeared to be quite a small stage, but clever use of blocks creates different levels and allows the routines to really open up —even using the grand piano as part of the choreography. Everything feels sleek, polished and incredibly well rehearsed.
It’s glamorous, nostalgic and full of the kind of joy that has the audience smiling and dancing in their seats. But what really makes the show work is the relationship between Aljaž and Janette. There’s such genuine warmth and happiness between them, and it’s obvious how much they both love dancing and performing together. That joy spreads through the whole theatre and creates a brilliant atmosphere in Sheffield City Hall. A thoroughly enjoyable evening from start to finish.