REVIEW: NIKITA KUZMIN - SUPERNOVA @ NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE

🎭 Nikita Kuzmin: Supernova

📍 New Wimbledon Theatre, 93 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London, SW19 1QG

🗓 Sunday 19th July 2026

⭐️ 3 Stars

A MIXED BAG OF GLITTER AND GLITCHES

After spending a pleasant summer Sunday exploring Crystal Palace Park with friends, I made my way over to Wimbledon to catch NIKITA KUZMIN: SUPERNOVA - a show I was highly anticipating. I am a huge fan of dance generally, but I also adore Strictly Come Dancing and Nikita. Plus, I had heard great things from friends who had already caught the tour at various venues across the UK. So, my expectations were extremely high.

SUPERNOVA, presented by the legendary ballroom brand Burn the Floor, has been tearing up the country over the last few weeks. Rather than trying to tell a linear, theatrical story, the production opts for a conceptual approach. It plays out as a collection of different themed segments - ranging from classic Hollywood glamour to fiery Latin numbers - interspersed with Nikita injecting some highly personal stories into the evening, including a poignant, heartfelt tribute to his late grandfather.

I have to start by saying just how exceptional not only Nikita was, but every single dancer on the stage really was. They are truly a world-class collection that really know their craft. My issues with the show did not lie with any of the performers whatsoever, but rather with the production elements.

Firstly, I was hugely disappointed with the choreography. I've always been a fan of Jason Gilkison's work, but I felt that something was missing here. Now, I understand that this is a full evening of dance, and the performers are working flat out, but I felt the choreography featured a lot of filler. There was seemingly lots of stretching and walking around to pad out the dance routines. This was a real shame because when it was good, it really was great, and the talented dancers executed the choreography with precision and defiance.

I was genuinely impressed with each and every one of them, with Sasha Woodward oozing sex appeal and grace, and Deavion Brown bringing exceptional energy to the stage. My absolute standout, though, was the incredible Nick Chan. For me, he stole the entire show with his compelling presence. I couldn't take my eyes off him every time he was on the stage. His sharp lines, fluid extensions, and sheer charisma during the more contemporary and commercial-fused numbers were magnetic. He has this effortless star quality where he doesn't just dance the steps - he commands the space around him. I'd love to see him in a more featured role in something in the future. Maybe he could be a Strictly professional one day.

For me, the entire first act felt very safe and middle of the road in terms of content. The opening of Act 2 injected power and energy into proceedings, and was my favourite part of the night. It was a dark, stylised, and dramatic sequence heavily inspired by Romeo and Juliet. I thought that finally we were getting the fiery performance that a Burn the Floor production promises. Unfortunately, it then went straight into an extended audience participation section that featured a trivia quiz. This felt more Butlin's than West End, and severely hampered the pace and energy of the entire performance.

Nikita himself was a sensational leading man, and did his best to keep the evening together. His little stories and chats with the audience were quite nice, delivered with his signature charm, loveable cheekiness, and dazzling smile. We know he can dance, and when the choreography allows him to, he is an absolute powerhouse. When he hit his stride in the traditional Latin sections, his speed, hip action, and partner work reminded you exactly why he made it to the Strictly final. He has a brilliant ability to connect with the back of the upper circle just with a look.

The tour features special guests, and his guest at this performance was Strictly royalty Karen Hauer. I thought the chats between her and Nikita felt a bit forced and awkward, if I'm honest. I'm not sure how many of the shows she's done on the tour, but her sections felt a little unrehearsed, and although she did great, the synchronicity of her routines with Nikita needed tightening up. They lacked that seamless, telepathic connection you expect from top-tier professionals dancing together. Her jokes about being unemployed after leaving Strictly after 14 years were genuinely hilarious.

Regular readers of mine will know how much I love my lighting, and here I found the lighting design quite uninspired. There were lots of flashing lights designed to dazzle and distract, but it just felt a bit boring in my opinion. Sat in the dress circle, I was frequently blinded by the lights - an issue I heard echoed by fellow audience members during the interval.

The images on the screen backdrops also felt a bit cheap, and the inclusion of a weird sort of AI figure called "Nova" really didn't work for me. This disembodied digital voice was meant to act as a futuristic narrator guiding Nikita through his life and dancing themes, but it felt incredibly clunky. Instead of adding a modern edge, it disrupted the flow of the show and pulled me out of the theatrical experience every time it spoke.

I cannot end this review without mentioning the live singer Lois Faith, who displayed absolutely sensational vocals. Her Shakira medley was spectacular, and she brought class and high-octane vocals to the evening. I just wished that she'd been used more throughout the show to anchor the musical numbers live, rather than relying so heavily on pre-recorded backing tracks.

Having seen other shows from Strictly professionals, and having been to the official arena tours, I have to say that I found the overall evening a bit of a frustrating disappointment.

I guess it depends what you want from the evening. If you just want to go and see some of your Strictly favourites dancing for a couple of hours, then I've no doubt you're going to absolutely love this show. But if, like me, you are interested in every element that goes into a production, you may leave feeling a little flat.

To find out more about the show, including remaining tour dates, CLICK HERE to head to the official website.

Neill Kovacic-Clarke

All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one person.

My ticket for this performance of Nikita Kuzmin: Supernova was gifted by Chloe Nelkin Consulting who invited me to watch the show in exchange for my honest review. The fact that my ticket was gifted played no part in the content of my review or the star rating given.

STARRING:

Nikita Kuzmin

SPECIAL GUEST:

Karen Hauer

VOCALIST:

Lois Faith

DANCERS:

Deavion Brown; Nick Chan; Idney De'Almeida; Faye Huddleston; Anna Karelina; Tom Watson; Sasha Woodward

RUNNING TIME (approx):

2 hours, including interval

CONTENT WARNINGS:

Flashing lights; Loud music; Emotional themes

AGE GUIDELINE:

Under 16s must be accompanied and supervised by an adult aged 18 or over at all times

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