Strictly Ballroom (musical)

Strictly Ballroom the Musical is a musical theatre adaptation of the 1992 film Strictly Ballroom. It is credited as being created by Baz Luhrmann with book by Baz Luhrmann and Craig Pearce adapted by Terry Johnson.

Strictly Ballroom
MusicVarious
LyricsVarious
BookBaz Luhrmann & Craig Pearce
Basis1992 film Strictly Ballroom
Premiere12 April 2014: Sydney Lyric, Sydney
Productions2014 Sydney
2015 Melbourne
2016 Leeds
2017 Toronto
2018 West End
2022 UK Tour

There are two versions of the show - one consists of a score of existing music and songs, with previous productions featuring a mix of existing songs alongside new musical numbers written for the show by David Foster, Sia, Isaac Hasson, Bernie Herms, Baz Luhrmann, MoZella, Neff-U, Craig Pearce, Eddie Perfect and Linda Thompson. Both productions feature songs such as "Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps" and "Time After Time".

Production history

In May 2011, it was announced that Strictly Ballroom would be adapted into a stage musical.[1] The musical was premièred at the Sydney Lyric on 12 April 2014, featuring Thomas Lacey as Scott and Phoebe Panaretos as Fran, where it received mixed reviews.[2] Parts of the musical were reworked, including a new opening number, for the Melbourne season which opened at Her Majesty's Theatre in January 2015.[2][3] The Melbourne season was better received, and the musical subsequently toured to the Lyric Theatre, QPAC in Brisbane in September 2015.[4] At the 2014 Helpmann Awards, Strictly Ballroom received seven nominations including for Best Musical.


On 3 December 2019, it was announced the show would embark on a UK Tour directed by Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood in September 2020.[5] Due to the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the performing arts, the tour has been postponed twice to 2021 and then 2022.[6]

West End Production

With a further revised book, the removal of all new songs, and the introduction of many more popular songs, a new production directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie, received its British premiere on 30 November 2016 at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds. The musical received its North American premiere in Toronto at the Princess of Wales Theatre on 25 April 2017.

This version transferred to the West End at the Piccadilly Theatre on 24 April 2018, following previews from 29 March.[7] The showOn 31 July 2018, Matt Cardle took over the role of Wally Strand.

Musical numbers

Source:[2]

Roles and original casts

Original productions

Source:

Character West End (2018)
Piccadilly Theatre
Scott Hastings Jonny Labey
Fran (Just Fran) Zizi Strallen
Wally Strand Will Young
Pam Short, Natalie, Charm, Auditionee Michelle Bishop
Merv Ivan De Freitas
Shirley Hastings Anna Francolini
Vanessa Cronin Gabriela Garcia
Tina Sparkle Charlotte Gooch
Les Kendall Richard Greive
Barry Fife Gerard Horan
Wayne Burns Liam Marcellino
Doug Hastings Stephen Matthews
Rico Fernando Mira
Abuela Eve Polycarpou
Liz Holt Lauren Stroud
Ken Railings Gary Watson

References
  1. "Sydney to host Strictly Ballroom premiere". The Australian. 23 May 2011. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  2. Cuthbertson, Debbie (2015-01-16). "Strictly Ballroom shifts gear for Melbourne run in 'grand old dame' Her Majesty's Theatre". The Age. Retrieved 2017-09-08.
  3. Puvanenthiran, Bhakthi (2015-01-06). "Eddie Perfect to give Strictly Ballroom a fresh start in Melbourne". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2017-09-08.
  4. Dean, Jodie (10 September 2015). "Strictly Ballroom the Musical sweeps Brisbane QPAC crowd off their feet". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  5. "Strictly Ballroom The Musical to embark on tour with Craig Revel Horwood directing | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 2021-03-31.
  6. "Strictly Ballroom The Musical UK Tour - Rescheduled Dates for 2021/2022". LondonTheatre1. 2020-05-13. Retrieved 2021-03-31.
  7. Brown, Mark (2018-02-14). "Strictly Ballroom to get its West End musical debut". The Guardian. Retrieved 2018-04-24.
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