Royal Marine Cassidy to perform in the West End

Royal Marine Cassidy, 33, who won The People’s Strictly on BBC One for his outstanding paso doble performance, will make his debut on the West End stage tonight (Monday, April 27) as part of a Jay Markwick production Explosion.

Cassidy will both dance and act alongside Jay Markwick’s Dance Company, in the first leg of its UK tour, which starts tonight at the Lyric Theatre in London.

The new production will be in association with Tickets for Troops, providing free tickets to members of the Armed Forces. Jay Markwick, the show’s producer has supported the charity Help for Heroes over the past few years.

When Cassidy heard that the show would help benefit those in the Armed Forces he naturally wanted to be included in the production.

Producer Jay, was thrilled to have Cassidy on board.

He said: “I saw a YouTube clip of Cassidy’s paso doble and I just thought it was amazing, especially to have learned the dance so quickly. I am excited, Cassidy’s strength and character will play this part perfectly.”

Cassidy, who lost his lower right leg whilst on a tour of Afghanistan in 2011, is keen to carry on dancing after his appearance on Strictly.

He said: “I’m honoured to have even been considered to be a part of such a vibrant and professional show such as Explosion. Although I am not totally sure what I am doing, I trust the pros to get me through it with a smile on my face!”

The show will incorporate Spanish footwork and all of the dance sequences will be influenced by ballet with a large content of Latin, classic and contemporary dance.

Explosion will be a unique fusion of these various dance styles and will tell a love story through a “sensual, fun and exciting combination of passion, strength and speed”.