AJ Live at Portsmouth Guildhall REVIEW: 'An evening to remember'

A mere two hours after the latest coronavirus restrictions were imposed in the UK, AJ Live took to the stage.

The dance show, created by and starring Strictly Come Dancing’s AJ Pritchard, was certainly up against it. However, the crowd who did make it to the venue were in for a treat.

The 25-year-old and his brother, Curtis, led an ensemble of supremely talented dancers in a two-hour spectacle also featuring his professional partner, Chloe Hewitt, and girlfriend Abbie Quinnen.

From a salsa carnival samba to a steamy paso doble, a delightful Viennese waltz to a breath-taking contemporary piece, there were plenty of dance styles on display. The show made good use of a central LED screen; one highlight included footage of AJ playing the drums while he tapped live on stage.

There was a Q&A section with pre-prepared questions on the screen. The Pritchard brothers have a lovely bond that’s clear for all to see – I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see them more on our television screens together in the future.

When asked: ‘What has been your best achievement in your career to date?’ Love Island star Curtis quipped: ‘Being here with my best friend and brother – he has worked his socks off to create this tour and Boris Johnson has just cancelled the rest of them!’

The two vocalists, Lydia and Dan, were sensational. Barely off-stage, their impressive vocals were stunning from start to finish.

The defiant Portsmouth Guildhall audience were on their feet by the end of the finale featuring, awkwardly, A Little Party Never Killed Nobody.

It may be a long time before many of the crowd see another live show but AJ Live certainly gave them an evening to remember!