It’s time to have a ball as Strictly Ballroom comes dancing into Darlington Hippodrome
DIRECTOR AND CO-CHOREOGRAPHER CRAIG REVEL HORWOOD AND CO-CHOREOGRAPHER JASON GILKISON ARE THRILLED TO BE BRINGING STRICTLY BALLROOM BACK TO THE STAGE
AS Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom The Musical steps out on its first-ever UK tour, the show’s director and co-choreographer Craig Revel Horwood promises audiences ‘a night of laughter and comedy, with an insight into the ballroom world.’
Strictly Ballroom lifts the curtain on the behind-the-scenes lives of dancers, showing a strong central love story with a sparkle of comedy as well as lots of glitz and glamour and beautiful costumes - and the Darlington Hippodrome is getting the chance to ‘keep dancing’ from November 14 -19.
Adapted for the stage from the
1992 film, the musical revolves around rebellious Australian dancer,
Scott Hastings, who causes a commotion with his radical moves and raises eyebrows when he opts to dance with absolute beginner, Fran.
“People perhaps didn’t understand the world of ballroom dancing when the film came out,” Revel Horwood said. “Since the advent of Strictly
Come Dancing they get what it’s all about. They realise that it’s full of very strict rules that the dancers all have to adhere to but Scott wants to break those rules, just as Fran wants to break the rules of flamenco. When they come together they also end up falling in love. That’s what makes it such a compelling and uplifting show.”
TEN-SCORING TALENT
The new production features a cast of more than 20 world-class performers, of which co-choreographer, Jason Gilkison, who is creative director on Strictly Come Dancing, marvels are triple-threats.
Strictly Come Dancing favourite Kevin Clifton will be playing Scott, with BBC’s Eastenders’ Maisie Smith as Fran.
Not just dancing and acting,
Strictly Ballroom The Musical features familiar songs as Love is in the Air and Time After Time, as well as new music from artists including Sia,
David Foster and Eddie Perfect, with Revel Horwood saying: “You’re going to see huge dance numbers and fantastic duets, with tunes that people know and love, as well as new music written specifically for the show which is equally brilliant. It’s mixing the old and the new.”
REAL LIFE TURNS SHOWTIME SPECTACULAR
Strictly Ballroom originated as a short stage play which went on to become one of the most successful Australian films of all time. It earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Picture and bagged three BAFTA awards for its costumes, production design and music score. It also inspired the phenomenally successful Strictly Come Dancing TV show, which now goes out to more than 60 countries worldwide.
Gilikson said: “It’s about two people coming together to achieve something incredible. They find a common denominator and a common ground, and eventually they fall in love.
The world of competitive ballroom dancing can be quite vicious and cutthroat, which you also see in the show, but we see Scott and Fran rising above all that.”
But the production has more resonance with Gilkison than you’d ever image - he, himself, alongside dance partner Peta Robey, were the inspiration for the characters.
“We were rule-breakers ourselves,” the former Australian Latin champion recalls.
See the stunning story of Strictly Ballroom at the Darlington Hippodrome from Monday 14 to Saturday, November 19.
To book call the box office on 0132 540 5405 or visit darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk