It's not long until Strictly Come Dancing is back on our screens. More Strictly contestants are being announced all the time. But what are the judges up to? We caught up with Aussie-born dancer and Strictly Come Dancing judge, Craig, 51, to find out about his newest musical project.
Sister Act has been a hit in the West End and on Broadway, seen worldwide by six million people. How do you bring a new spin to it?
the story to unfold in a high-energy way. We're lucky to have Alexandra Burke (former X Factor winner) play Delores Van Cartier – the 1970s disco diva who takes shelter in a convent after witnessing a murder. She makes the part totally her own.
Were you a fan of the original film starring Whoopi Goldberg?
Very much so, and I wanted to return to the simple essence of that film. Over the years, productions have moved away from the heartfelt story about a girl who escapes a life lived among rat bags and discovers herself in the process. It's a simple story of the power of good over evil. That's what our production is all about.
It's set in the 1970s – is that an era that appeals to you?
It's one of my favourite decades by far. I adore disco and everything that goes with it – no one could deny that the music in this production more than does that era justice.
Please tell us you're nicer to the stars in your production than the contestants on Strictly?
Haha! As a director, you do have to be generous, to listen and make people feel confident. You're part teacher and part psychiatrist. Unlike Strictly, I've chosen the stars in my shows, so I know they're brilliant and I have a responsibility to make them as good as they can be. It's the antithesis of my role on Strictly, where I'm purely there to judge and to give my opinion, which is not always the one people want to hear!
Do you get a lot of flack from the public who think you're too mean?
It was worse at the start when people didn't get my sense of humour. They thought I was Mr Nasty, but I think they see now that's not it at all. My role is to help people at home make more informed choices when they vote. I'm tough, but not unfair. As for my delivery, that's just me. Far worse was said to me by my dance teachers when I was in training!
You split with your partner, Damon Scott, earlier this year. Any chance of new love on the horizon?
I'm on Match.com but I'm sure that people look at my picture and think, 'Oh no, it's that bloke on the telly!' But seriously, I'm so much happier by myself. Relationships are difficult in my business, especially when on tour. Being away for months was one of the reasons for the break-up.
Yes, it's been tough. When my dad was dying, I had three different projects on the go, including panto – and I couldn't get out of any of the contracts. So I'd be working till late and then Skype-ing Australia at 3am. It didn't hit me until it was all over, at which point I did collapse.
Fortunately, I was booked on the Strictly cruise in April and my mum and one of my sisters joined me for a few weeks. They watched my Q&A and dance sessions, and we went all over Europe. It was very healing.
Craig Revel Horwood is currently the choreographer and director for Sister Act. The national tour of Sister Act opens at Leicester Curve on 30 July. For tickets, visit sisteractuktour.co.uk.
This article originally appeared in the August issue of Prima magazine. Subscribe here!