Strictly Come Dancing pros Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara will tour Remembering The Oscars show to Buxton

When Strictly professionals, Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara, took their Remembering The Movies show on the road last year, it shifted 50,000 tickets at UK box offices.
Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara in Bandwagon, a dance from their touring show Remembering The Oscars. Photo by Colin ThomasAljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara in Bandwagon, a dance from their touring show Remembering The Oscars. Photo by Colin Thomas
Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara in Bandwagon, a dance from their touring show Remembering The Oscars. Photo by Colin Thomas

Now comes Remembering The Oscars, which the married couple will be touring to Buxton Opera House on April 9, 2021.

But before they light up the stage in Derbyshire, there’s the small matter of competing for the glitterball on television’s Strictly Come Dancing, where the couple have been professional dancers since 2013. This year Aljaž is partnered with Clara Amfo and Janette with HRVY. Covid-19 health and safety requirements for the programme mean the spouses have formed social bubbles with their celebrity partners and are currently having to live apart from each other.

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Does it ever occur to Aljaž and Janette that their annual run on Strictly might come to an end? “Every single day,” says Aljaž. “Our faces may not fit anymore or our bodies will start objecting to the demands we make on them. But it’s great while it lasts.”

Janette agrees. “I’d had some success in Miami where I was raised but Strictly changed our lives, no question. People talk about the Strictly Curse. Well, we see it more as a blessing. It’s why we met, it’s where we fell in love and now we’re married. I think the public likes the fact that we’re a real-life couple.”

The chemistry between husband and wife will be evident when they tour next year in a show which they couldn't be more enthusiastic about.

“You’re going to get a night at the Oscars,” says Aljaž. “There’s going to be all styles of dancing that even includes a little bit of Bollywood courtesy of Slumdog Millionaire.”

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One of Janette’s favourite parts of the show is when she’ll get to do the slow, romantic numbers with her husband. Whichever way you slice it, Aljaž is something of a heartthrob. Is she comfortable with that? “Absolutely. In fact, I find it quite complimentary. I’m very proud of him. The way I see it, I pick up some of the kudos. Other women might lust after him but I’m the one who’s got him!"

Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara in Tarzan, a number from Remembering The Oscars. Photo by Colin ThomasAljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara in Tarzan, a number from Remembering The Oscars. Photo by Colin Thomas
Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara in Tarzan, a number from Remembering The Oscars. Photo by Colin Thomas

There will be songs – and dance, of course – from hit films like Cabaret, Dirty Dancing and a whole section devoted to Disney movies including Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Mary Poppins and When You Wish Upon A Star (from Pinocchio), a recurring theme throughout the whole show.

Says Janette: “We’ll also be reflecting some of the amazing choreography featured in films like La La Land, Flashdance and A Chorus Line. It can’t be long, in our opinion, until an Oscar is awarded for best choreography.”

Tickets for Remembering The Oscars are priced from £32. Go to www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

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Disney delight for Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara in Remembering The Oscars. Photo by Colin Thomas.Disney delight for Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara in Remembering The Oscars. Photo by Colin Thomas.
Disney delight for Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara in Remembering The Oscars. Photo by Colin Thomas.

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