If, like me, you are a bit of a Strictly addict but especially if you’re not but you love a cracking musical theatre production in all its forms, then Strictly Ballroom: The Musical is a must see.
I spent three glorious hours at Leeds Grand where I left my life at the door and allowed myself to be swept along with “Kevin from Grimsby” as this multi-talented young dancer realises his own dance dream to play Scott Hastings in a quest to dance it “his way” and to change the face of the competitive ballroom arena.
Based on Baz Luhrmann’s award-winning worldwide film phenomenon Strictly Ballroom: The Musical, this production fuses all that sparkles under the glitter ball with all the behind the scenes shenanigans of the ballroom world. Set in Australia, this is a triple threat production that packs many theatrical punches. Ballroom and Latin meet drama, comedy, cracking pop playlist vocals and even more dance genres; farruca flamenco, jazz, musical theatre and more. It doesn’t stop there! Beautiful costumes, simplistically clever staging, add in the multi-skilled cast of triple threat dancers and actors, live musicians and we have a cracking night out!
Now in the final stages of its UK Tour and in Leeds until Saturday 8th July the nation’s Strictly Come Dancing favourite Kevin Clifton and treasured Coronation Street star and Dancing on Ice finalist, Fay Brookes held the audience captive as their love story unfolded. These two had such a strong connection and are clearly much loved and I reckon by the end of the night the whole audience had found an even greater love and respect for both.
Directed by Britain’s best loved TV Judge, Craig Revel Horwood, Strictly Ballroom: The Musical follows arrogant, rebellious young ballroom dancer, Scott Hastings (Kevin) when his radical and daring dance style see him fall out of favour with the Australian Federation. He must dance with beginner, Fran (Fay). Together they find the courage to defy tradition and discover that to win, your steps don’t need to be strictly ballroom!
Craig shares the “Co Choreographer” job title with Jason Gilkison, the man charged with holding the Creative Director role for BBC’s Strictly so you can imagine the theatricality and inventiveness employed by these two to transfer this story from screen to stage.
A cautionary word here. This show is very much a theatrical production of the highest order. It is not a stage version of our beloved Saturday night BBC Strictly fest. This is more. So much more. Which brings me to the cast. Craig and Jason have assembled a sizeable company of over twenty to fill their federation ballroom. Mostly made up of theatrically trained, triple threat dancers who shine so very bright in this production, even before you add a liberal sprinkling of Swarovski! I reckon for most they have found new “Ballroom and Latin” skills to add to their toolkits. In the professional dance world the two factions of Ballroom and Theatre historically stood as two fairly separate beacons for a very long time and it’s heart-warming to see the two come together in this production. The dancers seamlessly switch from pure theatre dance idioms into impressive ballroom and Latin figures. It is subtle, it is clever and is brilliantly done.
The show incorporates smash-hit songs Love is in the Air, Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps and Time After Time to name a few and all new music written by internationally acclaimed artists including Sia, David Foster and Eddie Perfect. This feel-good “theatrically ballroom” sensation sure makes for an unforgettable evening under the glitter ball that will send your heart soaring and toes tapping!
At Leeds Grand Theatre until Saturday 8th July.
Limited availability so grab a ticket fast!
https://leedsheritagetheatres.com/whats-on/strictly-ballroom-2023/
Review by Deana Morgan @deanamorgandance
Images supplied
