Oti Mabuse shows her appreciation for the dancers and choreographers who have transformed the dancing world.
In today’s episode, she is joined by choreographer, presenter (and also big sister) Motsi Mabuse. Motsi developed a successful professional career including winning the German Championship before moving to become a judge on Let's Dance in Germany and Strictly Come Dancing in the UK.
Motsi has worked with various dancers and choreographers in her career, but she says the person who has had the greatest influence on her is Olga Muller.
Olga is a former World Latin Champion who was celebrated during the 1990s as one of the figureheads of competitive German dance. Motsi and Oti, who were both trained by Olga, go down a personal memory lane as they reminisce about their time under her tutelage in the dance studio.
The dance adjudicator Colin James helps to tell the story of Olga’s life and career, and Oti is joined in the studio by her husband, the dancer Marius Iepure, to learn a routine inspired by this dancing legend.
Presenter: Oti Mabuse
Producer: Candace Wilson
Editor: Chris Ledgard
A BBC Audio Bristol production for BBC Radio 4
18 Jan 2023
Jerome Robbins
Oti Mabuse continues her journey celebrating the incredible dancers and choreographers who have made a huge influence on the world of dance.
In this episode, Oti sits down with ballet dancer and choreographer Wayne Sleep OBE. Wayne has danced professionally for over 50 years and starred in productions including Cats and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Wayne cites the Oscar and Tony award winning choreographer and director Jerome Robbins as his dancing legend.
Jerome Robbins was one of the most accomplished choreographers of the 20th century and his vision led to the creation of the highly celebrated musical West Side Story. His work can be seen in the worlds of theatre, movies and television, and Wayne and Oti together explore the career of this renowned figure with the expert help of writer, Wendy Lesser.
Oti then heads to the dance studio to be taught a routine inspired by Robbins, with dance teacher James Bennett showing her the ropes.
Presenter: Oti Mabuse
Producer: Candace Wilson
Editor: Chris Ledgard
A BBC Audio Bristol production for BBC Radio 4
9 Jan 2023
Janet Jackson
Oti Mabuse shows her appreciation for the dancers and choreographers who have transformed the dancing world.
In today’s episode, Oti sits down with Beth Honan. Beth has worked with music artists including JLS and Girls Aloud and is Choreographer on Strictly Come Dancing. In the course of her career, she has been Creative Director on The X Factor and has produced large scale concerts at the 02 Arena and Wembley Stadium.
Beth talks about her career and then introduces us to the dancer who has consistently inspired her over the years - Janet Jackson. This Grammy Award-winning artist has sold over 100 million records, has performed on stages around the world and has been inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Janet Jackson’s performing life began when she was a young child with her famous family. To tell the story, we're joined by the writer David Ritz, who co-wrote the book True You with Janet.
Oti delves further into the movement of Janet Jackson and is joined in the dance studio by Alisha Thompson to learn a dance routine inspired by this singing and dancing powerhouse.
Presenter: Oti Mabuse
Producer: Candace Wilson
Editor: Chris Ledgard
A BBC Audio Bristol production for BBC Radio 4
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