Strictly Ballroom The Musical will get its West End premiere at the Piccadilly Theatre in 2018. Following the success of its UK premiere at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in 2016, the opulence and glamour of Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom The Musical will open in London on Wednesday 11 April 2018, following previews from Friday 16 March 2018.
Strictly Ballroom The Musical is the hilarious story that inspired the world to dance. Based on the multi award-winning movie, the first instalment from Baz Luhrmann’s acclaimed Red Curtain Trilogy, the musical production is a kaleidoscope of colour and fun. When maverick championship ballroom dancer Scott defies all the rules of competition to follow his heart, he teams up with left-footed partner Fran to win the National Championship his way.
Featuring the film’s classic break-into-song numbers such as Love is in the Air, Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps and Time After Time, Strictly Ballroom The Musical will also include electrifying songs from a host of internationally acclaimed artists.
Drew McOnie (whose dazzling choreography for In The Heights earned him the 2016 Olivier Award) will direct and choreograph the production. Strictly Ballroom The Musical is based on the original Australian musical created by Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin, with a book by Baz Luhrmann and Craig Pearce.
Casting is yet to be announced.
Strictly Ballroom The Musical is produced by Global Creatures (the team behind Walking With Dinosaurs – The Arena Spectacular, the upcoming production of Muriel’s Wedding, the Broadway-bound King Kong and Moulin Rouge! The Musical).
Carmen Pavlovic, CEO, Global Creatures said:
“I’m thrilled that we are bringing Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom The Musical to the West End. The film’s irresistible heart and humour were immediately embraced around the world and 25 years later remains a beloved title. We are delighted that audiences can now enjoy live on stage the uplifting story of how one boy following his heart, triumphs over oppression and changes the lives of everyone around him for the better. Drew McOnie’s direction and choreography has brought further vitality to Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin’s original vision. Together they’ve reimagined the story for audiences of today and created a show full of joy and celebration.”
This uplifting and courageous tale originated as a stage play that Baz Luhrmann devised with a group of students at the National Institute of Dramatic Art, Sydney, Australia, in 1984. The film was discovered at the Cannes Film Festival, where it was the winner of the Prix de Jeunnesse and runner up for the Palme D’Or. When released in Australia, Strictly Ballroom swept the field at the 1992 Australian Film Institute (AFI) Awards, gaining 13 nominations and winning in eight major categories. It also won three awards at the 1993 BAFTA awards, received a 1994 Golden Globe nomination for Best Picture, and eventually went on to become one of the most successful Australian films of all time, earning more than $80 million at the box office.
Strictly Ballroom The Musical made its world premiere at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in April 2014, followed by seasons in Melbourne and Brisbane in 2015. Strictly Ballroom The Musical then made its UK premiere at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds in December 2016 and toured to Toronto, Canada.
Drew McOnie’s most recent theatre credits include On The Town (Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park) The Wild Party (The Other Palace), Jesus Chris Superstar (Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park), Jekyll & Hyde (Old Vic), and Hairspray (National Tour).
