Strictly Ballroom The Musical, Piccadilly Theatre
Love is in the air: a musical theatre adaptation of Baz Lurhmann's ballroom dancing comedy comes to London
Sam Lips as Scott Hastings and Gemma Sutton as Fran in Strictly Ballroom The Musical, transferring to London
Baz Lurhmann, the talent behind Moulin Rouge!, Romeo and Juliet and The Great Gatsby brings his trademark spectacle and glamour to the stage in a musical theatre adapation of his 1992 film Strictly Ballroom.
After opening in Australia in 2014 Strictly Ballroom The Musical transferred to the West Yorkshire playhouse in 2016. Critics noted that the show 'soars, simmers and shimmers in a series of explosive, confident dance routines' and delivers 'pure sugar-sprinkled Disney with added camp'. Though there was a unanimous sense that the dance far outshone the plot, so we hope there has been some revamping of the script ahead of the London transfer.
Taking the movie as inspiration, the new musical has a book by Olivier-winner Terry Johnson. Director/choreographer Drew McOnie, who won an Olivier Award for the infectious, energy of In The Heights and impressed in a five-star revival of Jesus Christ Superstar, ensures the dance numbers are exhilarating.
But you don't need to appreciate the difference between a fandango and a foxtrot to find Strictly Ballroom hilarious. The warm and kooky comedy comes courtesy of clumsy cleaning lady Fran and her maverick dancing partner Scott, who wants to break the rules and come up with his own moves. Together they brave the hairspray and sequins of Ballroom competitions to waltz their way into an unlikely Cinderella story.
Don't expect hard-hitting drama or lyrical dialogue; Strictly Ballroom is feelgood theatre that promises to have you 'dancing in the aisles'.
After opening in Australia in 2014 Strictly Ballroom The Musical transferred to the West Yorkshire playhouse in 2016. Critics noted that the show 'soars, simmers and shimmers in a series of explosive, confident dance routines' and delivers 'pure sugar-sprinkled Disney with added camp'. Though there was a unanimous sense that the dance far outshone the plot, so we hope there has been some revamping of the script ahead of the London transfer.
Taking the movie as inspiration, the new musical has a book by Olivier-winner Terry Johnson. Director/choreographer Drew McOnie, who won an Olivier Award for the infectious, energy of In The Heights and impressed in a five-star revival of Jesus Christ Superstar, ensures the dance numbers are exhilarating.
But you don't need to appreciate the difference between a fandango and a foxtrot to find Strictly Ballroom hilarious. The warm and kooky comedy comes courtesy of clumsy cleaning lady Fran and her maverick dancing partner Scott, who wants to break the rules and come up with his own moves. Together they brave the hairspray and sequins of Ballroom competitions to waltz their way into an unlikely Cinderella story.
Don't expect hard-hitting drama or lyrical dialogue; Strictly Ballroom is feelgood theatre that promises to have you 'dancing in the aisles'.
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| What | Strictly Ballroom The Musical, Piccadilly Theatre |
| Where | Piccadilly Theatre, 16 Denman Street, London, W1D 7DY | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Piccadilly Circus (underground) |
| When |
16 Mar 18 – 28 Oct 18, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Price | £30 - £83.40 |
| Website | Click here to book now |