Theatre

Interview: We chat to ex-Strictly star Kristina Rihanoff about her new show, One More Dance

If you’ve been missing Kristina Rihanoff on the current series of Strictly Come Dancing fear not – she’s back next month with a brand new show.

Having left everyone’s favourite dancing show at the end of the last series, Kristina returns to the dance floor in December with One More Dance, a show guaranteed to set the Adelphi Theatre alight just in time for Christmas.

We caught up with Kristina to get more info about her new show – which also stars fellow Strictly alumni Gleb Savenchenko.


What can you tell us about One More Dance and what audiences can expect from the show?

Gleb and I partnered each other on Strictly last year, so we feel very comfortable with doing a show together, plus we are coming from that very strong school of Russian dancing, so it will be a lot of fun to choreograph and create the show together.

We also really want this show to be a perfect family concert. So while there’ll be loads of iconic dances from Strictly, we’ll have loads of familiar songs and dance hits too (all sang by the incredible Louise Dearman and Strictly singer Patrick Smyth); we’re also going to include some audience participation and have Q&A.

One More Dance also marks your return to the professional dancer floor since motherhood – how is it balancing motherhood with rehearsals for the show?

It’s very exciting for me as it’s the first time I’m going to put my dancing shoes on after having my little one; motherhood is an incredible journey and you have to learn so much about yourself and your baby. I’m also very nervous about squeezing myself back into the tiny costumes! But, I have been missing the energy of working with other professional dancers, in creating and choreographing exciting routines, so I’m really looking forward to starting rehearsals with Gleb.

You did Celebrity Big Brother last year – would you ever do Reality TV again, or is there any show you definitely wouldn’t agree to go on?

I definitely wouldn’t do I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here (Kristina’s ex-Strictly co-star Ola Jordan is competing in the current series).  Eating bugs and spiders are my worst nightmare! At least in the Celebrity Big Brother house we got a proper bed and hot shower!  I might do MasterChef at some point (Gleb competed in the last series), but I’d need to improve my skills in the kitchen – I love cooking, but I’m definitely not at the level of doing it on TV!

What is your most treasured memory from your time on Strictly Come Dancing?

I guess that would be my very first dance ever, which of course was with John Sergeant!

John Sergeant's Final Waltz | Strictly Come Dancing | BBC Studios

Do you have a favourite performance from your time on the show?

There were lots of special performances on Strictly. Especially like the times I made the finals with both Jason Donovan and Simon Webbe. I’ll also always remember my first solo performance alongside to a guest musical act as it was Beyoncé and she was so gracious and gave me and my partner lots of compliments afterwards – that was very cool!

What’s your favourite style of dance to perform on stage?

I love Latin dances and it’s been my specialty throughout my competitive years. I also love the Argentine Tango ! It’s one of the most beautiful storytelling dances! And of course, we’ll have an Argentine Tango in our show!

The new show also features singers including Louise Dearman – who we’re a huge fan of – had you worked with Louise before and what sort of songs can we expect her to perform?

I haven’t worked with Louise before but I’m so excited! Her voice is truly magnificent and she the only person in the whole to play both Glinda and Elphaba in Wicked, which is just incredible. We are so excited to have her with us!

Finally, why should people get tickets to see One More Dance?

The show will be a perfect Christmas treat for the whole family; it’s a concert-style dance show with well-known anthems and iconic routines. If you never had the chance to be in the Strictly audience, you should definitely come to see us! We have something for all generations!

One More Dance comes to the Adelphi Theatre, London, on 11 December. Tickets are on sale now – get yours at Ticketmaster.co.uk.