Strictly Ballroom the Musical Archives

Strictly Ballroom the Musical – Leeds Grand Theatre

4Jul

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Strictly Ballroom the Musical – Leeds Grand Theatre

Craig Revell Harwood. He must have been the only serious candidate to direct this fab-u-lous musical version of the cult movie bringing a direct understanding of Aussie machismo and the bitchiness of competitive ballroom dancing as he also impeccably choreographed Baz Luhrmann and Craig Pearce’s book. The opening number, Strictly Ballroom, is full of flamboyant partnerships opening up the dark, backstabbing world of competition dancing, and you shudder to think how long it took to sew the sequins on Mark Walters’ suitably over the top costumes. This smart reworking of Strictly Ballroom - The Musical with new songs is the age-old tale of a rebel like young gun Scott Hastings determined to shake up the staid dance world, and by chance he teams up with ducking ugly duckling novice...

Strictly Ballroom the Musical – Hull New Theatre

7Mar

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Strictly Ballroom the Musical – Hull New Theatre

Kevin Clifton aka "Kevin from Grimsby" got a huge cheer from theatregoers in an almost capacity Hull New Theatre, on Monday night, as he stepped on to the stage when Strictly Ballroom the Musical came to town. Never having seen even one episode of Strictly Come Dancing, the TV show in which Kevin performed and excelled, I had no idea what to expect. But I was more than pleasantly surprised. For starters, the stage setting was so cleverly designed, changing before our brains (well, mine) registered the difference. All around were what seemed like upright, sprung willow floorboards, arching over at the top with lights, in a palm-tree fashion. Sections opened and closed throughout the night, creating totally different vistas. The screen backdrop also changed from indoor scenes to out...

<strong>Strictly Ballroom The Musical – New Wimbledon Theatre</strong>

9Nov

By Maani WayNo Comments

London

Strictly Ballroom The Musical – New Wimbledon Theatre

Adapted by Baz Luhrmann and Craig Pearce from the 1992 film, Strictly Ballroom is the story of the rebellious Australian dancer, Scott Hastings (Kevin Clifton), who shocks the dance community and his parents by choosing to dance with newbie Fran (Maisie Smith) in the prestigious Pan Pacific Dance Final. The opening sequence is full of colour and energy, the bright sparkly costumes shining amongst Richard G Jones’ lighting design. The wings are curved, peeling back like an onion, with bright lights in each one, adding glamour and depicting a fitting dance stage. The ensemble cast are dynamic and precise, becoming the spirit and momentum of the show. The leads, Strictly Come Dancing’s Kevin Clifton and Eastenders star, Maisie Smith, had excellent chemistry which carried the show. Despi...

Strictly Ballroom the Musical – Liverpool Empire

18Oct

By Anne PritchardNo Comments

North West

Strictly Ballroom the Musical – Liverpool Empire

Anyone attending this show and expecting BBC TV’s Strictly Come Dancing will be disappointed; Strictly Ballroom the Musical is a musical theatre adaptation of the 1992 cult, classic, film Strictly Ballroom. The glitzy glamour and ballroom dancing is there but that’s where the similarity ends. The show was preceded by a voice-over by Director/Co-Choreographer, Craig Revel Horwood announcing in an Australian accent, jokingly, that any photographs taken during the performance are not allowed and should be instantly uploaded to as many social platforms as possible immediately after the performance. The Strictly Ballroom film directed and co-written by Baz Luhrmann is a comedic satire on the cut-throat world of amateur ballroom dancing; it is regarded as an edgy, in-your-face mockumentary...