Feel-good and fabulous

STRICTLY BALLROOM BRINGS SEQUINS, SINGING AND SALSA TO LEEDS GRAND THEATRE. BY IRIS ADAMS.

az Luhrmann’s smash hit musical Strictly Ballroom is set to sweep audiences off their feet once more when it arrives at Leeds Grand Theatre from 3-8 July.

The musical is directed and choreographed by the “fab-u-lous” Craig Revel Horwood, and choreographed by Strictly Come Dancing’s Creative Director, Jason Gilkison. The show is based on the award-winning, global film phenomenon Strictly Ballroom that inspired the world to dance and spawned the smash hit TV series Strictly Come Dancing.

Strictly Ballroom tells the story of Scott whose radical dance moves see him fall out of favour with the Australian Federation. He finds himself dancing with Fran, a beginner with no moves at all. Inspired by one another, this unlikely pair gather the courage to defy both convention and their families - and discover that, to be winners, the steps don’t need to be strictly ballroom…

In the beginning, Strictly Ballroom was a short stage play that Luhrmann and his classmates devised in 1984 when he was studying at Sydney’s National Institute of the Dramatic Arts. It was expanded into a longer version that caught the eye of Australian music executive Ted Albert, who offered to turn it into a film. Insisting that he helm it himself, Luhrmann - who was already an established theatre director - made his screen directorial debut in 1992 to critical acclaim and box office success.

This all-singing, all-dancing and allglittering show stars former Strictly Come Dancing Champion Kevin Clifton as Scott Hastings, a talented, arrogant and rebellious young ballroom dancer. He is joined by Dancing on Ice finalist and Coronation Street star Faye Brookes, as Fran. As well as becoming a household name in the role of Kate Connor in Coronation Street, Faye is no stranger to musical theatre, having previously starred as Roxie Hart in Chicago, Princess Fiona in Shrek and Elle Woods in Legally Blonde.

When Kevin Clifton was ten years old he watched the film of Strictly Ballroom and, as a budding competitive dancer, immediately saw himself in the character of Scott Hastings, recalling: “He was a hero to me and such an inspiration.”

Growing up in the village of Waltham, near Grimsby, Kevin was being taught ballroom and

Latin by his parents and he told them: “I guarantee you that one day they’re going to make a musical out of this and I’m going to play Scott Hastings in it.”

Three decades later, Clifton’s dream has come true, headlining the UK and Ireland tour of Strictly Ballroom. Clifton said: “This is my dream role. It’s very exciting news that Faye is joining the cast of Strictly Ballroom and I’m looking forward to singing and dancing my way across the UK and Ireland with her!”

Joining the cast of Strictly Ballroom The Musical, as she takes over from Maisie Smith, is an exciting challenge for Faye Brooks. “I’m absolutely elated,” she says of playing fledgling hoofer Fran. “I

She thinks that: “Fran is unlike any of the characters I have played in these shows. They were all self-assured women who were leading the pack, whereas Fran goes on such a journey and you really get to see her blossom. She turns into this absolute queen - owning her personality and who she is - and the audience roots for her all the way.”

As for the appeal of the musical, Faye feels: “It’s so clever, funny and witty, and it’s about discovering who you are and what you can accomplish. Then there’s the music, the singing, the dancing, the sequins, the comedy and the fact it’s non-stop. It has something for everyone whether they’re young or old and the story is ultimately so heartwarming.”

Kevin agrees. “It’s an iconic story that everyone knows and can quote lines from, and on stage, it’s a massively glitzy and glamorous spectacle. It’s a lot of fun and it’s a romantic comedy with lots of great dancing. I know people who come to see it are going to have an amazing time and that’s what everyone needs right now. It’s as good as musical theatre gets, with great singing, great dancing and a love story at its heart.”

Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom The Musical is a fabulous, feel-good evening full of sequins, singing and salsa. The unmissable kaleidoscope of glitz and glamour is a tonic for the soul and will send your heart soaring and toes tapping long after you leave the theatre!

Strictly Ballroom is at Laeeds grand Theatre from 3-8 July. For ticket info, visit leedsheritagetheatres.com