Birmingham Symphony Hall – 26th April 2026
Reviewed by Emma Millward
4****
Birmingham Symphony Hall played host to Aljaž and Janette: Let’s Face The Music and Dance, as Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara delivered a polished and feel-good evening of dancing and live music, aiming to celebrate songwriters, film composers, and record producers who have created the songs that continue to inspire dancers worldwide. Their partnership and chemistry shone right from the start. It felt effortlessly relaxed, and they easily anchored the show together, making a strong connection with an audience clearly made up of many Strictly Come Dancing fans.
The live band added real depth and atmosphere, with Tom Seals (vocals and piano) and Jill Marie Cooper (vocals) leading a rich musical line-up that also features Musical Director Jack Tinker (trumpet), Chris “Beebe” Aldridge (saxophone), Danny Miller (bass), Greg Coulson (organ) and Vito Vultaggio (drums). Each section was made up of medleys of well-known songs, with Tom Seals leading the band through them in style. Jill Marie Cooper delivered powerhouse vocals, moving from Whitney Houston, Adele to Burt Bacharach standards with ease. The sound in Birmingham Symphony Hall was rich and vibrant, making each medley feel special.
Fresh from playing Roxie Hart in the UK tour of Chicago, Janette Manrara took the opportunity to sing as well as dance, including a well-received rendition of ‘Mein Herr’ from Cabaret. The mix of ballroom and Latin dance styles was strong throughout. The choreography was confident and polished, and the production stuck to classic styles instead of trying anything too experimental. This made the show entertaining to watch, but it also meant that it didn’t often venture into more unexpected territory.
The supporting dancers, Kiera Brunton, Natasha Mould, Tonyé Scott-Obené, and Lochie McDougall gave energy and precision to the larger group numbers, which helped to build momentum as the night progressed. Chris Davidson’s costumes added a touch of glitz and glamour to the show, while Doug Cairns’s set and lighting helped create a jazz club feel. The movable set, with its tiered levels, gave the cast extra space to perform on. Everything was sleek and well presented, keeping the focus on the music and performance. The most noticeable thing was the mood in the auditorium. The cast clearly enjoyed what they were doing, and that came through to the audience, who responded with warmth and appreciation from start to finish.
Ultimately, Let’s Face the Music and Dance was a thoroughly enjoyable celebration of dancing and the people behind the music, driven by strong performances, a fantastic live band and an unmistakably feel-good energy.