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| Interview: Bruno |
| Written by Administrator | |
| Saturday, 19 November 2005 | |
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We spoke to Bruno Tonioli about Strictly and more.
His comments are legendary, but what does Bruno realy think of the show, the contestants and his fellow judges, and just how did he get to be there? How did you get into dancing? When I was in Italy as a child my father was an absolute fan of Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly and all the great Hollywood musicals of the Golden Age. I was totally possessed by them. I was told I was dancing as a toddler in front of the radio, that's the story my grandparents told me; as soon as the radio came on I would dance around entertaining the people. How did you get into choreography? At the time of the Equity strikes I was dancing in London and ITV were going to put on a big biopic of a comedian called Jimmy Jewell, starring Pamela Stephenson, and I was finally cast opposite her. It thought 'this is it, this is my break'. But then the strike came and that was the end of it; no work and no money. Pamela was preparing for Not the Nine O'clock News and she said 'I need to get fit to dance in the show, why don't you give me some lessons'. I did that and she said, 'why don't you become a choreographer'. I never planned to become one. At the time there was the explosion with the video and they were doing lots of dancing in commercials... It just gathered momentum. You've also worked with Arlene Phillips and Bruce Forsyth before. That was one of the lasting jobs, in the video I'm Still Standing for Elton John. For Bruce Forsythe it was doing an impersonation of Rod Stewart. I did loads of things; I was in Absolute Beginners, I did Blake's 7... That must have been quite a departure... I always like doing something different. I did a little thing in Enigma recently... Never say never. You have to keep your horizons open. How did you get the Strictly Come Dancing gig? I screen-tested. The BBC auditioned quite a large number of people... I didn't think I'd got it – I'm very particular, I'm the kind of person that comes across very definitely and [thought] maybe they want someone who plays the role of the choreographer. I never really play that role, even when working, I'm me first. Thankfully - and I'm very grateful - someone at the BBC said, 'No, we want him'. Why do you think it's been such a success? It's not just another reality show. It brings back variety, very high production values and family entertainment. There isn't anything like it – you can't compare it to the X Factor. Do you get on well with your fellow judges? Do you think they sometimes go too far? I get on fine with everybody. I do my job and don't take things personally. They're entitled to their opinion so when I don't agree at the time I respond to it. What's been the highlight over the last three series? Oh, there are so many. For me it was sometimes the worst moments – The Paso Dreadful by Chris Parker. Sometimes the bad are nearly as good as the good. Obviously Natasha [is a highlight]. The Jill and Denise race to the top, and this year it's very exciting because we have some very strong men. Who's impressed you this series? Personally, I think Zoë Ball is doing incredibly well. She looks fantastic, and Darren because as a Cricketer, moving the way he does is quite astonishing. I was expecting Colin to be good, because being a hurdler he's got a kind of Denise body, but I wasn't expecting Darren to be so good. Anything could happen; week by week you can never predict... it's interesting to watch. And are you allowed to say who you think will win? Well, I don't know! At this stage I really don't know. It could be Zoë; it could James, Colin or Darren. At this stage they are all in the running. Patsy could come back very, very strong. At the moment Will and Bill are the weakest. What's it like working on the American version? It's very similar. It's exactly the same show. It's fewer judges, so we talk more, which I quite like! Well, I'm never one to shut up. It was the biggest show in the summer. Is there anyone in dance today that impresses you? You always stick to your old idols; it's like your first great meal, or first love. To date the greatest dancer that I have ever seen is Mikhail Baryshnikov in the 70s. It was just beyond anything you've ever seen before, or anything you've ever seen since at that level of artistry, bordering on the genius. Do you have any ambitions? What would you like to work on? At the moment I'm quite happy. I'm doing a stage musical called Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens. It's right up my street, there's lots of comedy. I'm working on a film called 66, which is a new Working Title project starring Helena Bonham-Carter set during the World Cup final and a boys bar mitzvah; it's a very funny script. I've also been writing and when it's the right time to show somebody, I will do that Source |
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