Our Interview With Tristan MacManus - August 11, 2014

Photo Courtesy of Richard Curwen Twitter

Photo Courtesy of Jay D. Schwartz Twitter

We loved all the photos coming our way of you doing a little dancing with Gladys at the Hollywood Bowl.  Would you tell us about the performance and how the group of you, Sasha, Henry, and Artem came together for these shows? Did you fly back a couple of days early from the DWTS: At Sea cruise?

Yeah, it was wild - really fun.  Gladys had contacted me a few weeks back to choreograph a few numbers which I was obviously delighted to do but I had very little time with my schedule to put much together for us so we just did a wee bit from our Cha-Cha and then Farbs put some moves together for the guys, and we got Artem and Henry involved.  It was amazing.  I had never been to the Bowl before so it was a perfect way to say goodbye to LA.  We did the show Friday and Saturday and then I went again last night [Sunday, August 10] to watch Glen Hansard play so I spent my last three nights dancing and watching shows in the Hollywood Bowl. 

17,500 people at the Hollywood Bowl and Kool And The Gang played as well so they were great nights, and a super band called The Head And The Heart played Sunday.

You’ve been on the DWTS At Sea cruises the last couple of weeks.  Were there any changes in the show this time around?  What numbers were you a part of?

The show was a wee bit longer this time because we had Emma and Kym onboard so for me it was just different partners for certain numbers.  I danced to “Johnny B Goode” with Ems and Sabrina and then “Sing Sing Sing” and went back in the show with Sabrina (Paso, Cha Cha again), Foxtrot with Ems, “Vogue” with Carson -  mostly the usual but I guess I did every second dance on this run so it kept me busy!!

Also, there are still 2 more cruises later this year and you are still listed as a performer.  Since you will be on Strictly Come Dancing this fall, will you still be part of the cruises or is that tentative at this point?

I won't be a part of the cruises, no.  We will still be recording Strictly, which is a shame but I think for longevity of the show it’s best that I don't do them all anyway.  It’s great for me to be on it all the time, and the cast is the best.  I love working with them all but I think when you want to keep a show running it needs either a shake up in the show run or a shake up in the cast so maybe in the future who knows, but not before the end of the year I wouldn't imagine but stranger things have happened - ha!

Emma Slater posted a short Instagram video of you back at the Lumberjack Show in Alaska.  You mentioned in our last interview how much you enjoyed it.  What is it that you like so much? (It seems like great fun)

I just do.  It’s funny.  The crowds love it and get really into it (well, at least me and Brent [Borbon] do!!).  It’s just great.  Like Medieval times you go hard or go home – haha. The challenges they do in it are very entertaining and I’d love to give it a go but it’s just entertaining - easy to watch, always have a laugh, and you can scream your lungs off for an hour and a half.

Well, the fan page hit 15,000 likes this week, and a lot of people are looking forward to your debut on Strictly Come Dancing. You’ll be jumping right in after Dance Temptation but it is an exciting time.  How hard is it to “catch up”  - in something like learning the group performances for Dance Temptation and in catching up on the SCD pro performances which begin rehearsals next week?  We’re sure you’re used to it, but how do you go about getting caught up?

Things are hectic at the minute for sure.  A lot is changing and there are a lot of things to organize with very little time so it’s been difficult playing catch up for the last few months but sure there were so many times when I had nothing to catch up on so I’ll kick on while it lasts.  It’s difficult having five or six different shows running in your head and trying to remember the right one when you come in to a new cast already behind so it’s not ideal.  But I’m very grateful to be getting offers right now that I have been working hard for.  It will all come together and then when I finally get some down time I will take it.  I’m in Niagara Falls now.  I was in Alaska last week and then the Hollywood Bowl and next I’m going to London.  Sure what do I have to be complaining about! There is no formula really to catch up.  I’m trying to get some sleep for now – that’s the biggest thing.  If I’m mentally tired I’m just not there.  I can work through being physically tired to a point but when my mind shuts off I’m finished.

The cast of Dance Temptation is unreal so it’s great to try fit into something like that when everyone else is so on it.

                       A few favorites/quick answers

Funniest thing that happened this summer on DWTS: At Sea

What happens at sea stays at sea – haha!  We always have great fun on the cruise.  Like I said, the cast is amazing, everyone is genuinely sound, and I get on with every one of them which is rare in a company so I couldn't speak any more highly of the cruise.  We laughed every day so I couldn't pick.

Favorite city you’ve visited this year

For sure, Sydney.  I just got married there 7 months ago now so nothing is beating that although I can't wait to finally get back to Dublin.  I can't wait for Christmas at home!

Favorite place in London

I don't really have a favorite place to be honest but I love going to Shakespeare’s Globe.  I just love that place and London Tower I guess is pretty cool - Covent Garden and Notting Hill. I’m planning on seeing a lot more of it this time round.  Last time I was there was pretty much bars, pubs and bed – haha.  Tahyna has only been there for a couple of days when I danced with Katherine Jenkins so now we can go see the place together but for sure I’ll be making a few trips up to Elland Road to watch Leeds.

A five word description of Gladys Knight

'Mary' is amazing.  I have a lot of time for her.  She is funny - very funny and caring and genuinely interested and supportive of what I do and how my family are.  She really has a 'family' who she tours with and every single one of her band and management and security and actual family members really accept myself, my wife, and my friends into theirs which says an awful lot about Gladys.  I couldn't do her justice in five words!  She always introduces me as her partner- haha - and I love it. She calls and leaves voicemails that crack me up and is always concerned about me.  I am very lucky to call her my friend.

How excited are you about started on Strictly Come Dancing? (Your fans and supporters are at about 563 on a scale of 1-10.)  

I can't wait to get started.  I don't really know what to expect but I’m excited and I like that feeling of a fresh start.  I needed a change and I think a lot of change is going to be happening over the next few months and getting to experience what I know the Strictly dancers love and appreciate is something to be excited about.  Just got to take it all in and get to explore a new country again.


                          Until next time, Tristan!