Tristan MacManus Interview (56) - December 24, 2015

Tristan is currently appearing in Ballroom With A Twist-Mas in Florida and has been very busy since Strictly Come Dancing finished up last weekend.  He took time today to answer a few of your questions.  

Happy Holidays!

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Several of us were fortunate enough to see the new Ballroom With A Twist-Mas show this week in Maryland.  It was a great show, by the way.  How did you manage the travel from the UK, rehearsal, and getting a little sleep before show time?

Thanks for coming.  I didn't get too much sleep before the Baltimore show to be honest. We finished the Strictly final late on Saturday night and then went straight home to pack and flew first thing to Dublin for a layover where we caught up with my family in Dublin airport for a few hours.  We flew all day Sunday and then learned the show Monday morning and did the show Monday night......and then I had a few hours sleep and we left Baltimore at 5 a.m. to fly to West Palm and drive to Boca Raton.
 
Take us through your numbers with Chelsie and how the show will change in Florida when you will be dancing with Sabrina Bryan, and Gleb Savchenko and Elena Samodanova will be joining you on stage.

We did four numbers - two group numbers and two solos with Chelsie and then I taught the dances to Sabrina, and we give that a bash for the week here.  We have a group samba with the cast and then I dance a Foxtrot to “Baby It's Cold Outside” with Sab and a quick Q and A in Act One.  Gleb and Elena dance a Cha Cha.  In the second act we dance a Jive to “All I want For Christmas” and then we all finish with a group Jive after a quick dance lesson and Gleb and Elena do a Rumba.  We come out at different parts of the show and talk to the audience then as well and that is followed by a meet and greet at the end.
 
Since this is an all new show that you saw for the first time Monday night, do you have any favorite numbers ? (by any of the cast)

No.  I didn't get to see too much of the show the first night as I was still learning the running order and cues so I was pretty occupied for that first show but it’s great.  It’s a strange one with Christmas music.  I don't know if it’s just me but eventually Christmas music gets on my nerves when you hear the same songs over and over and over in and out of work but for some reason it doesn’t bother me with this show.  There are your Christmas songs we all love and then there is a Motown medley of songs and the singers we have and live band are unreal so it’s a lot more enjoyable than I would have expected.

It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces in the show – Kiki, Brent, Oksana, CJ, Tony, Magda, Jon, Legacy, etc.  It seems like a family.  So many of you have performed together again and again over the years – the troupe, the Holland America cruises, BWAT, and other shows.  What are your thoughts on the cast? You mentioned in our last interview that Jaymz is a good friend of yours and also the show’s choreographer, but we didn’t see him around this week.  Is he there with you all in Florida?

The cast are great, yeah - no egos - just a great bunch of people who love spending time with each other.  There is no competition here so everyone is just normal and gets on with their job.  Nobody is trying to get one up on each other or going in the background to get ahead.  It’s just a show we love performing and performing as a team.  Jaymz isn't here yet but he may get here in a few days.   He is always busy choreographing shows or performing and he has more DWTS cruises coming up so he is flat out.
 
The lead vocalists for this show – Von Smith and Vonzell Solomon – were nothing short of amazing (as were the band’s vocalists).  Do you have a favorite (so far anyway) of any of their numbers?

No favourites, no.  I love them all.  Vonzell I hadn't seen in years as she used to sing onBurn The Floor with us way back and Von as always is just unreal.  He has such a unique voice. The two work well together and obviously it’s the first time Gina [Gina Glocksen-Ruzicka] isn't singing on the show.  Occasionally she would miss a show or two and a different singer would come in but it’s strange not seeing her face here but Vonzell is killing it here.  She is great.
 
Speaking of music and musicians, you’ve occasionally done BWAT with an orchestra, but in this new show a band is on stage for every performance.  How does that add to the show?
 
Everything live is always better, in my opinion, and this band adds so much to the show.  Everyone is multi-talented and you can see as well as the musicians playing they are so involved in the dance numbers themselves, which is great to see.  You can catch eyes with a guy in the band and you know you are performing together which is what you miss when it’s track.  Jacob and Chantelle come out and start singing as well or sing while playing their instruments which I wasn't expecting.  It’s just an all round better show in my opinion and being the holidays it just adds a different dimension to it.
 
On a SCD note – we loved seeing Aliona and Jay win this year and we were sad to hear that Aliona won’t be returning next year to Strictly.  What are your thoughts on the series overall?
 
Yeah, Aliona just mic dropped it and dropped the bomb that she is leaving – haha.  It’s gonna be a great loss to the show but she is a top girl.  I have a lot of time for her and no doubt whatever she wants to do next will be a huge success. The season was grand, yeah, a little long to be honest but it was great.  Starting in August and finishing late December is draining but the cast and crew this season were fun.  The new cast members slotted in great and I’m glad they all did so well.  I’m sure they will be around for a while and I’m sure a bunch of us will be having our eyes on new adventures and what not  - you never really know when each season finishes. Sometimes you can't wait for the next to start and sometimes you couldn't think of anything worse but for now it’s just taking a break and resting up and enjoying the new year and seeing what you wanna do.  The show is a machine and will keep going strong as long as the fans of the show want it to as it’s in your hands.  The support is always immense.
 
Finally, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family from all of us. Have a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.
 
Well, here is to the holidays.  Have a great Christmas and New Year.  Don't get caught up too much with presents and gifts this month.  Most people just miss a phone call or a visit to say hello and a cuddle.  Spend time and not money and enjoy time with your families.  Take care.