Sunday, April 6, Beck Theatre, Hayes

SEQUINS, feathers and an array of shirtless men. Not your average Sunday night in Hayes.

Yet, when two of Strictly Come Dancing’s stars descended on The Beck Theatre, they brought the show’s glamour with them in spectacular style.

Katya Virshilas and Pasha Kovalev left the audience aghast with their complex dance routines, including the salsa, cha cha cha, waltz and Charleston.

Despite the difficulty and high energy of each routine, the moves were performed with astonishing ease.

Some required the dancers being flung around the stage and, with each elevation, there was an audible gasp of fear and awe.

The atmosphere was truly electric, helped by the addition of Hayes youth dance school, Footloose.

The dance troupe, with performers aged 8-27, put on an excellent show as they danced to a medley of chart hits.

The crowd was filled with proud, cheering parents and the stage with bashful children bearing a “Stop it Mum!” expression.

Presenter Mike Newman kept the audience entertained during costume changes.

“More glitz, glamour and sequins than Graham Norton’s wardrobe,” said Mr Newman in his introduction - and this description did not disappoint.

One of the highlights of the evening was undoubtedly the audience participation.

Pasha invited three lucky ladies to join him on stage for a saucy dance routine.

I presume he was unprepared for the over-amorous displays of his partners.

Each lady made her own pushy beeline for Pasha, including an unsuccessful (and rather forceful) attempt at a kiss, removal of his shirt and some aggressive shimmying.

Luckily, Pasha escaped in one piece.

Despite what you see when celebrities try their hand at ballroom dancing, evenings like this remind people that it really is an extraordinary and very disciplined art.

Highly enjoyable and, with such wonderful talent on show, simply mesmerising!