It brings immense joy to any fan community to discover their beloved celebrities have a harmonious relationship off-screen. So, you can only imagine our excitement upon learning that even the stars of Strictly Come Dancing share camaraderie behind the scenes.
In truth, Janette Manrara, who is currently featured in the UK tour of Chicago, described the backing from her Strictly Come Dancing peers as “extraordinary.” She expressed that she received a lot of affection and enthusiasm after being named the star of the show, Roxie Hart.
She chuckled, “Joanne Clifton is truly an enthusiast! As soon as they announced it, she was one of the earliest to send me a message, practically shouting with excitement.
She texted me a voice message expressing, “You’ll be thrilled beyond belief when you experience it, it’s going to be such an inspiration for you,” and she was genuinely elated about my upcoming situation.
Manrara stated that her guidance essentially boiled down to immersing herself wholeheartedly in the realm of musical theater, as it’s an entirely distinct realm compared to Strictly.
Additionally, the dancer mentioned that Kevin Clifton, Joanne’s brother and a fellow performer in the touring production, had been extremely supportive. He was eager to assist, rehearsing scenes with her and showing great enthusiasm.
As a longtime film partner, it’s been a blast working alongside Kevin for all these years – we’re talking about a 15-year friendship here! The transition from Strictly to Chicago was electrifying, given how great a friend and colleague he is.
The character of the sleazy Chicago lawyer, previously played by Clifton, is now being portrayed by both Dan Burton and Darren Day in the show.
However, Manrara reiterated that she was learning so much from the entire tour cast.
I’m studying the mechanisms behind my voice, figuring out how to maintain it for multiple performances each week. Every performance seems to bring about some improvement in me.
She shared that performing in Chicago had long been a cherished aspiration of hers, and getting the chance to portray Roxie was a delightful opportunity to showcase both her acting and vocal abilities.
My character Roxie may appear innocent and filled with childlike wonder about the world of Vaudeville, but she’s got an indomitable spirit and a strong will to survive. There’s a certain level of apprehension one should feel around her due to her complexity. This intricate nature is what makes her such an enchanting character to portray.
It’s important to keep in mind that this program carries a warning. It involves themes of murder, alcohol, and nightclubs, which are not safe environments, especially since the characters are murderous women, so it’s essential that it never feels comforting.
Each evening, strive to present your lines with a unique twist, and never stop seeking the thrill, the edge – it’s something I appreciate.
As Manrara continued to excel in both acting and singing, it was only natural for us to inquire about her dancing skills. However, her response might catch you off guard.
She mentioned that due to the unique, unaltered dance moves and choreography of Strictly Come Dancing, especially in the case of the Hot Honey Rag, she can’t adopt her usual style for the performance.
The task isn’t laborious in a physical sense, but it requires something different – an intricate precision and pressure. We must recreate the exact likeness of 50 years ago, detail by detail, even with each finger. Similarly, Djalenga Scott (in her role as Velma) and I need to emulate the same performances.
But of course, as she says, that’s all part of the fun.
When and where can I see Janette Manrara in Chicago?
The Chicago UK Tour is underway, however Manrara’s performance continues through August. Here are the details for the remaining shows:
(Another way)
The Chicago UK Tour is now in progress, but Manrara’s act continues till August. Here are the dates for your convenience:
- 31st Mar – 5th Apr 2025 – Bournemouth, Pavilion Theatre
- 7th – 12th Apr 2025 – Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall
- 14th – 19th Apr 2025 – Birmingham, The Alexandra
- 21st – 26th Apr 2025 – Truro, Hall for Cornwall
- 29th Apr – 3rd May 2025 – Llandudno, Venue Cymru
- 5th – 10th May 2025 – Cardiff, Wales Millennium Centre
- 12th – 17th May 2025 – Canterbury, Marlowe Theatre
- 19th – 24th May 2025 – Bristol, Hippodrome
- 9th – 14th Jun 2025 – London, New Wimbledon Theatre
- 16th – 21st Jun 2025 – Leicester, The Curve
- 23rd – 28th Jun 2025 – Wolverhampton, Grand Theatre
- 30th Jun – 5th Jul 2025 – Hull, New Theatre
- 7th – 12th Jul 2025 – Eastbourne, Congress Theatre
- 14th – 19th Jul 2025 – Norwich, Theatre Royal
- 21st – 26th Jul 2025 – Blackpool, Winter Garden
- 28th Jul – 2nd Aug 2025 – Woking, New Victoria Theatre
- 4th – 9th Aug 2025 – Sunderland, Empire
- 11th – 16th Aug 2025 – Crawley, Hawth Theatre
- 18th – 23rd Aug 2025 – Glasgow, King’s Theatre
- 25th – 30th Aug 2025 – Salford, Lowry
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2025-04-04 15:34