Tristan MacManus Interview (42) - May 3, 2015

From May, 2015

Tristan took time out from his very busy schedule to answer your questions about Strictly Come Dancing - 2015, The People's Strictly, and his many upcoming appearances.

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Congratulations on returning to Strictly Come Dancing this fall. What are you most looking forward to?

Thanks. I’m looking forward to going back to the UK.  I had a blast there last season and it was great working with so many friends again.  I just generally like the British humour and day to day of being in London and catching up with my friends and family there.

Even though you had already been a pro for several years, what is one thing you learned from being on Strictly Come Dancing last year?

You learn a lot not just on the show. It’s quite different but also similar in a way but I just like being around everyone involved with the show and I enjoy how closely all departments work with each other.  The Strictly crew guys are sound and the banter is great.  The singers are good friends of mine and the diversity in the styles outside of the show is great as well.  The hair and makeup department are all funny as well and I generally just like being around everyone but it’s not like you learn anything - just reinforce that everyone is in it together and it’s not the be all and end all. We can have a personal life as well as a working one.

Speaking of Strictly, we enjoyed hearing about The People’s Strictly where extraordinary people who gave so much had the opportunity to train with various pros and dance on the SCD stage. Did you have a chance to follow it, and/or is this something you would be interested in doing in the future?

I love People’s Strictly and I think it’s a great idea.  I was raging I couldn't be a part of last year’s one but hopefully I’ll get a chance to do it this time if the schedule permits. Also the Christmas Special was great fun so hopefully I can do as much as possible. I know it might not be too popular but I think maybe America can do one season a year and do a special like People’s Strictly for the fans of the show and maybe specials with military or police force, fire departments, supermarket workers or whatever - it would be great to see, I think.

You have another very busy summer coming up with lots of appearances in lots of places. Is there any place in particular on your itinerary that you are eager to see?

I’m really excited about going to Rome but unfortunately I won't be there for very long so I may have to try and get a second trip back there at some stage.  Also the Holland America cruises have new routes for me this time so that will be fun.  I love going everywhere so I get a buzz out of wherever I am.

In our last interview you mentioned that you would be rehearsing with Iveta for the P&O cruise.  How did that go? What can you tell us about the numbers you will be performing?

It went great, yeah, and she came to LA last week as well so we done a wee bit more. We have three Latin and three Ballroom dances.  I think we do maybe four shows on the cruise so it should be fun - and no doubt we will get it right at least once – haha.

Any idea what’s ahead for the HAL cruises? Have you had a chance to work with Florence Henderson yet? I’m sure it will be fun working with Carson and Kym again, but do you know if Iveta (or others from previous cruises) be on these cruises as well? Are there going to be format changes this time or do you know much about that yet?

I don't know much about the cruise to be honest.  I have so much going on before then but I will try find the time to get together with Florence and see what it is they want us to do.  I won't know about any format or whatever until I get there. I don't know if the lineup is complete yet but I’m sure I’ll find out soon enough from people who are on board but again I’m pretty swamped for a bit so I’ll leave that until a little closer to the time.

It’s time for another dance tutorial.  One of your supporters wants to know what you think is important for a strong Tango and Argentine Tango and how you go about teaching these dances.

Timing and footwork I guess with Tango.  It’s a difficult enough dance but I find for beginner just really pushing the story and history of the Tango gets the juices flowing and they can get into the mood first which helps. Sometimes with other dances for some people they find it hard to get going and can feel a bit awkward sometimes but when you add that strong pose and the arrogance and passion I think people like it from the off.

Finally, here is what we have for your performing schedule (as well as other BWAT dates for which you are uncomfirmed). Are there changes, additions, or cancellations? Lots of people have been asking.

Confirmed Dates
May 7 BWAT Ashland, Kentucky
May 22-24 BWAT Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada
May 28 P&O SCD Mediterranean Cruise
June 6 HAL Cruises: DWTS At Sea
June 13 HAL Cruises: DWTS At Sea
June 20 Life’s A Dance
June 27 BWAT Cache Creek Casino, Brooks, California
July 18 BWAT NJPAC Newark, New Jersey (See Tristan's comment below)
Fall, 2015 Strictly Come Dancing

Additional BWAT Dates - Summer, 2015 - Yes or No? (See Tristan's response below)
June 13 Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
July 1 Bemidji, Minnesota
July 11 Bethesda, Maryland
July 23-25 Beverly, Massachusetts
August 5 Greenville, Texas
August 9 Westbury, New York
August 12-16 Patchogue, New York

That looks right enough and to check it there! I think I may be doing July 1st but I’m not sure yet as I’ll be back in Ireland for most of July.  I’m not doing the 11th but might be on 18th in Newark and then maybe North Shore dates and back to Ireland.  I won't be doing August as I’ll be starting Strictly rehearsals.