Robin Windsor takes a break from rehearsals for brand new stage show Keep Dancing to talk about the show and his zeal for dancing with Georgina Butler…
Professional Ballroom and Latin dancer Robin Windsor is a world champion who has toured the globe in critically acclaimed shows, performing in both the West End and on Broadway.
After nine years performing worldwide with the company of Burn The Floor, he charmed television audiences in Dancing with The Stars Australia and on So You Think You Can Dance in Holland.
Closer to home, Robin enjoyed being a fan favourite on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing for five years.
Currently on the road with brand new dance production Keep Dancing, Robin is clearly devoted to dance and brimming with enthusiasm for teaching others to dance.
Our chat was suitably “fab-u-lous” – and now I really can’t wait to see him in Keep Dancing next week, writes Georgina Butler.
Will you be watching Strictly Come Dancing this year - and do you think you will ever return to the show?
I had five amazing years on Strictly and it is such a wonderful experience as a dancer, as a teacher and choreographer. It has also opened so many doors for me as a performer. I would love to return at some point - never say never after all!
I think this year's line-up is the best they've had in years. I've loved keeping an eye on social media over the summer to see who would be next to join the new starters!
I will definitely be trying to catch as much of the action as possible, although we will be performing on the Keep Dancing tour on Saturday evenings. So I think I will be running from the stage to my dressing room on Saturdays to catch a glimpse of the television screen between numbers!
We simply can't wait to see you performing in Keep Dancing here in Milton Keynes! Just how excited are you to be returning to theatre and having the chance to entertain live audiences again?
I am SO excited about getting out on the road and bringing Keep Dancing to Milton Keynes! Bringing a show packed full of live dancing and fun to fans outside of London is definitely a great feeling.
The show is a real dance extravaganza. There is no story-line to keep track of, just 30 fun, exciting dance numbers to enjoy. There are sections with different styles of dance in so we've got a Conga section, a Paso section, a Tango section, Disco, Jive, everything. We represent each dance style all the way through.
In any show, the dancers work the hardest but they don't always get the recognition for this. Keep Dancing is full-on, constant dancing. As a performer, if you want to get fit then this is definitely the dance show to do!
Are you enjoying learning all the choreography? It must be quite an intense rehearsal period having to fit in so many dance styles for so many numbers?
The routines are being put together by our amazing choreographers Emma Rogers and Innis Robertson. Learning the choreography is great but I am excited to be playing a big part behind the scenes myself as I am choreographing too. As Emma comes from a Jazz dance background and I'm Ballroom and Latin, it is really interesting to get this fusion of styles working together.
Are you a choreographer who likes to be inspired by your dancers or do you prefer to have a set idea of what you would like before you get into the studio?
I normally like to listen to the music the evening before, get some idea of what I would like, see what moves come. Then I start to build up a picture of the dance, get into the studio early and work it all out.
That way, once the dancers arrive, I can just teach it. I know some choreographers like to try things out with their dancers and see what works but, certainly for this production, time is short and I find that if I don't have a firm idea of what I am teaching it just takes too long.
Once we know the steps it can all be about perfecting the routines!
What about music? You were spoilt dancing to a live band on Strictly, is the music for Keep Dancing played live?
Dancing to live music on Strictly is absolutely amazing. Obviously, Dave Arch and the Strictly Come Dancing band and singers are just incredible and they add so much to the atmosphere and the excitement of performing on the show.
You can feel every single beat of the music when you are dancing to live music, it really makes a performance special.
For Keep Dancing, the dancing is spectacular, of course, but so is the live music that we dance to. We’ve got musicians, a percussionist, and three fantastic singers. A lot of people come to dance shows for the music as much as for the dancing. You’ll be paying for a seat but you won’t be sat down as you’ll be on your feet dancing yourself!
I am well and truly convinced, but here is your opportunity to persuade anyone who may still have doubts about whether Keep Dancing is for them.
Please tell us: what is in store for audiences, who will enjoy the show and why should we all be booking tickets?
Keep Dancing is a celebration of dance, a two-hour dance marathon just packed full of amazing routines! If you like watching dance on the television then this is the show to see as it is faster and even more entertaining experienced live in person.
This is a production for everyone whether you are 6 or 60 – and any husbands needn’t moan at being dragged along as they are usually the ones raving about it the most afterwards!
It’s an upbeat, fun show with amazing dancing, a fabulous cast and celebrities. Everyone should come and celebrate dancing with us!
Dance extravaganza Keep Dancing will sashay into Milton Keynes Theatre from Tuesday (September 6) and dazzle us with routines until Saturday (September 10).
Starring Strictly favourite Robin Windsor, current reigning Strictly champions Jay McGuiness and Aliona Vilani, former Strictly professional Anya Garnis and a whole cast of talented Ballroom and Latin world champions – fans of dance on the telly will not want to miss this stage show!
Visit www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre to book.
For more dance and theatre interviews, previews, reviews, news and features by Georgina, visit www.georginabutler.wordpress.com and follow her on Twitter @GeorginaLButler
