Strictly Confidential, The Lowry

Fab-u-lous! That’s how I would describe Strictly Confidential.

Directed by Craig Revel Horwood, it is the dancers as themselves linked seamlessly by Lisa Riley.

Lisa’s self-effacing charm and northern humour more than light up the stage, as she talks honestly and openly about her experiences on Strictly.

Then each of the professional dancers, Natalie Lowe, Ian Waite and Artem Chigvintsev (who has a 30” waist and a 40” chest!) take their turn.

In creating Strictly Confidential, Horwood set out to create something like A Chorus Line, a chance to get to know the person behind the dancer.

Nothing too confidential is revealed, but what does become apparent is that, stripped of music, dancers are very uncomfortable.

Watching Natalie Lowe talk about herself was at times uncomfortable, hands wringing, breathless, fidgety, looking down, but within seconds she is transformed into a dancing goddess.

The characters of the cast are important to the stage show, their very real pains and problems, shaken off by the glitz and glamour of the glitter ball.

Beneath the fake tan, sequins and smiles there are some very poignant moments, and Horwood allows space for the poignancy, but not so much that sentimentality creeps in.

So, when Lisa Riley spoke about the death of her mum from breast cancer I was wiping the tears from my eyes.

The dancing, as you would expect, is breathtaking and the band – who are on stage throughout and part of the whole show, even joining in some of the dances – are superb.

A really beautiful and heart-warming show.