Patsy Gets Her Mojo Back!

Well, what a difference a Strictly week makes; Patsy Kensit went from looking like she was a rabbit caught in the headlights to looking like she was having the time of her life!

Looking like a cross between a Felliniesque heroine, Madonna in the recent Dolce & Gabbana campaign and a grown up Crepe Suzette (her character in the 1986 film Absolute Beginners) she strutted round the floor giving it a huge amount of welly and making Len's night as she flung herself on the Judge's table.

Alright, there is a bit of technical nitpicking, but she looking so joyous compared to last week I'm going to leave well alone.

Anyone else remember the Fashion Show scene from 'Absolute Beginners' where Crepe Suzette ends up dancing on the Runway in a paint splattered black sequined dress? Because when I saw Patsy last night I was transported back 24 years and I think maybe she was too.

Here's a link to see Patsy talking about Absolute Beginners, with a little clip of the Runway Scene:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5FIqVAwc6Q


Moving on to other Strictly business I though Goldie showed great improvement after last week's Dad Disco dancing in what looked like a sequined cardi, I thought his Foxtrot this week looked like a performance but still with his own character shining through. Again there is technical nitpicking, but I thought he showed that he had  paid attention to learning correct technique.

After last week I was a bit fretful for Kara Tointon, that due to her amazing figure (and the rather dubious Hot Gossip costume she was put in), she would spend the series being dressed as a cross between a Russ Meyer heroine and a surburban Ann Summers Hostess, but last night she looked beautiful and sohisticated as a Bond Girl in the 'From Russia with Love' Foxtrot and even performed a heel turn which made Len very happy!

I know, Heel Turn, it sounds so simply, but to do it without having 'Wicked Witch of the West' feet is quite difficult. Earlier in the evening both Len and Craig commented on Matt Baker's overemphasized Heel Leads; I've just had another look on the old i-player this morning and they are right, his foot is completely flexed to the point of comedy.

Now I know what your thinking, Heel Lead, you mean just like walking, how difficult can that be? The problem arises when you've spend most of your dancing life being taught to point your toes (I'm sure the same is true in Gymnastics); and believe you and me it's instilled in you from day one; Good Toes, Naughty Toes (Good Toes are pointed toes), so the tendency when learning Ballroom dancing is to over compensate the action to make sure you get it right, because it feels quite unnatural at first and I think that's what Matt is doing, but it will sort itself out.

The other problem I find with Ballroom, is reigning in the turnout. I actually had a comment on my last Ballroom Exam paper that stated 'Try to make your Heel Leads clearer by not rotating your stepping leg outwards in the Quickstep'. Pointed Toes and Turnout; what can I say once a Prima, always a Prima!

And finally, Gavin Henson, sigh and it all went so well last week, but the Latin can be quite challenging for the chaps and NO GAVIN, ripping open your shirt isn't going to make the situation any better, unless your next career choice is to join The Chippendales.

In the very wise words of my Optician Mr. Selbie (Mr & Mrs Selbie like to partake in Ballroom dancing), "You've got to be very comfortable with your own masculine sexuality to try some of those Latin Dances"



Ballet (and occasionally Ballroom) Bitch xx