Strictly ballroom

In preparation for Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks Annie Whittle and Russell Dixon have been industriously working on their footwork.

Two-hander puts timing, footwork and stamina to the test, writes Dionne Christian

Dancing with the Stars is returning to television but actors Annie Whittle and Russell Dixon already have an insight into what the people signing up for the show may be waltzing into.

Whittle and Dixon are rehearsing for North Shore-based Tadpole Productions' first show of the year, Six Dances in Six Weeks. Written by American Richard Alfieri, the play uses dance lessons - the swing, tango, waltz, foxtrot, cha-cha and a contemporary number - to bring together its two protagonists. It has been performed in 24 countries, translated into 14 languages and made into a film starring Gena Rowlands.

In the stage version, Dixon plays former Broadway performer-turned dance instructor Michael Minetti, as quick with acerbic one-liners and wry observations as he is on his feet; Whittle is retired teacher Lily Harrison, who's always wanted to learn how to dance and is paying Minetti for private lessons.

Each segment of the show ends with one of the dances and director Janice Finn says there may be a correlation between each dance and the drama and comedy which unfolds on stage. Finn describes Six Dances in Six Weeks as a touching play that encompasses a wide range of themes.

"It's about being lonely, about being different and feeling marginalised or experiencing prejudice. But, that said, there's a lot of comedy that comes through and the dances are joyous. I've always loved music, theatre and dance and this is a show that brings all of them together."

It means both actors, especially Dixon, must show off snippets of fancy footwork. With choreographer and ballroom dancing champion Amber Dixon, Russell's wife, they have been having intensive dance rehearsals. While both have done dance training, they say ballroom dancing is not as easy as the experts make it appear.

Having starred in a number of West End and touring productions during a seven-year stint in Britain, since returning to New Zealand last year Dixon has taken lead roles in local musicals Hairspray and Mamma Mia. He says ballroom dancing aside, probably the greatest challenge has been finding the right rhythm for a show starring just two actors.

"I love a challenge and I never shy away from one. I've spent a lot of time working on big budget, high-energy West End-style musicals where everything has to be played larger than life. I wanted to push myself a bit further, to play a character who's still a character but needs a bit more subtlety."

Having recently appeared in Auckland Theatre Company's comedy The Ladykillers, Whittle says that show was a fantastic prelude to Six Dances in Six Weeks. She took last year off to care for her mother and says she's not sure she'd have been "match fit" for the two-hander without something slightly less physical first.

Whittle chuckles when asked if Lily Harrison is as formidable as some of the women she has played lately, including the titular character in Driving Miss Daisy. She says there are few similarities "and she's certainly not like Mrs Wilbourforce from The Ladykillers", except that they are complex and provide Whittle with some of her career's best roles.

"I'm playing bags and hags and I say, bring them on! They're great, fabulous and delicious characters."

Performance
What: Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks
Where and when: PumpHouse Theatre, Takapuna, April 30-May 9