Just Dance.. GONNA BE (an) OK (show)!

http://forums.superiorpics.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/2240267/Davina_McCall_Launch_Sky1_Just

http://sky1.sky.com/just-dance-compete-in-sky1s-dance-competition

I very nearly bailed out of attending the first round auditions for Sky's new 'Just Dance' show in Edinburgh the other day. I wasn't auditioning! I had tickets to be in the studio audience. The competitors for this dance spectacular will be added to a short list after auditions in Edinburgh, Manchester and London before appearing on the Sky One programme in early January. I'd never been in a studio audience before. I didn't know what was expected of me! What if i had to spontaneously dance?!... not that i'd have a problem with that! What if my clapping technique wasn't up to par!?

5.10pm
Me and my ma persevere and allow ourselves to be shepherded across a Leith car park to a giant dome next to Ocean Terminal shopping centre. We are allowed in, 20 at a time, and a runner shows us to our seats. Our purpose, as free ticketed audience members, is to provide an impartial equivalent to the screaming stage mums seated to the right of the judges. The tacky car park location is transformed into a glitter ball dream thanks to some clever lighting and giant sparkly set dressings. The shift in atmosphere plus the bustling of runners in black fussing around Davina made me relax and start to enjoy the experience. We're sitting next to the judges desks. I unashamedly coo at the pre-set water glasses, notepads, pens and yes/no buzzers. It is so X Factor.

The compere allez ups onto the stage and starts to warm us up with a little Tom Jones rendition. The supposedly comedic unbuttoning of his shirt to reveal dark chest hair is ungainly and not needed. We sing a few songs, learn how to clap enthusiastically and even have a wee moment to cha cha slide with Davina McCall! Removing our coats, (to fake that we had been comfortable in our seats for more than 3 minutes)the show begins!

Kimberley Wyatt (the blonde, short haired Pussycat Doll), Adam Garcia ( career notes for Dr Who, Riding in Cars with Boys and Wicked) and last but certainly not least, the delectable Ashley Banjo from 'Britain's Got Talent' act Diversity are on the panel of judges. I found Adam, rather waffley. I guess most of his long-winded reasons for why they did/didn't make the shortlist will be cut out post production. Kimberley supplied the smart, down the line comments. It was refreshing to have a judge that didn't use silly 'that was worse than bla' comments to express themselves. She gave constructive criticism and encouragement when it was due. Ashley, bless him, provided the panel with some heart. Having experienced the live judging process in Britain's Got Talent, he shows great empathy to the brave contestants.

6.10pm
First up is Scotland's very own Billy Elliot! Seriously! He did a 10 month run at the Victoria Palace in London's West End. I recognise him instantly from my anal perusing of the programme last Christmas. He has turned up to dance, clad in tap shoes, white vest top and jeans. The staple Billy Elliot wardrobe. He is a fine specimen with great technique but something about his upper half troubles me. Perhaps it is the nerves. Needless to say, he makes it through with 3 gold yes'. Oh - note to talent show savvy audiences... Gold yes' are the new green ticks for a judging panel.

Next up is a 10 year old street kid with buckets of talent and confidence. He eases on through to the next round. He is followed by the cutest wee skeleton I have ever seen. This 8 year old kid hops up onto the massive stage and dominates it with one simple extension of his arm. He manages to make it through despite the judges concern for his fragile age. Watch out for the diamante skeleton kid in the January show!

A girl in some kind of ostrich feather costume is next and pales in comparison to the 8 year old. She is unanimously voted off the stage. She didn't point her toes during a lyrical dance!! Come on!! Rule number one , stretch the feet!

Other acts I remember for the wrong reasons include a group of 9-14 year olds, dressed as toy soldiers. I saw theses kids rehearsing in the street a few hours earlier and thought their acrobatic skills would wow the judges. I was wrong. Although their 90 second piece is original, it lacks direction and delivery. The kids dance on platforms of plastics with attached trainers, just like the toy soldiers from Disney's'Toy Story'. The first 30 seconds is inspired but quickly turns sour as the kids evacuate their boots and freestyle their way onto the bus home. Or so we think!! Davina makes a plea for them and scrapes them a re audition in Manchester later this month. It'll make good TV if nothing else. Every one loves when the celebrity intervenes with the judging panel. Especially a celebrity with fabulous jeans on! Davina is as goofy and loveable as ever.

Sadly the whole experience ends quickly and we are escorted off the premises before we can pap the celebs. I feel reassured! Scotland never fairs well in any reality TV show. The Scottish Big Brother contestants have included political activists and outrageously gay highlanders. Not surprisingly, they didn't come close to winning. Even in this year's x factor, Glasgow produced very little talent! We may not be able to sing but they cannae take the dancing outta our blood!

Studio audiences are a laugh. I apply for pretty much everything that comes through the SRO audience company. They do shows for the BBC as well as Sky and offer you the best shot at FREE tickets to shows like Mock the Week or Strictly Come Dancing. Warning - you will leave with clap sore hands and a stiff jaw from smiling too much. Attend at your own pleasure risk.

http://www.sroaudiences.com/