Strictly Ballroom – the feel-good glitzy musical

Strictly Ballroom is the must-see feel-good musical currently being staged at the Lyric Theatre in Sydney.

It is a dancing and singing extravaganza that is entertaining from start to finish.

In my ignorance I thought that this musical was just an adaption of the 1992 Australian romantic comedy movie directed and co-written by Baz Luhrmann of the same name. I have since found out that Strictly Ballroom actually started its life as a stage play in 1984 written by Baz Luhrmann and fellow students of NIDA (the National Institute of Dramatic Arts). It has gone from stage play to movie to musical.

Strictly Ballroom tells the story of dance students preparing for the Pan-Pacific Grand Prix Dancing Championship. The two lead characters are Scott, who likes dancing his own way (which is not strictly ballroom}, and Fran, the frumpy beginner student that he ends up dancing with.

This is love story, a comedy, a dance spectacular, a drama.

It can be seen on various levels. You can sit in the theatre seat and just enjoy the show as it moves from a song to a dance to a laugh. Or you can dig deep and think about some of the underlying themes of the show. Should you follow the rules of society, or break them to enjoy your personal freedom? Should you follow your heart or your head? Should you be defiant or compliant? Should you be afraid or overcome your fears? Should you choose your actions to please your parents, girlfriend or yourself? Should you base your assessment of a person on their appearance? Is it really that uncool to wear a cardigan?

Strictly Ballroom has a superb cast mix of experienced professionals who have been in countless previous theatre productions and enthusiast newcomers.

Fran is played by Phoebe Panaretos, who shows a wonderful progression of character from the beginner dancer she is at the start of the show to the dazzling dancer she is at the end.

A mention must be made of Fran’s Spanish family, as the Spanish dance scenes bring an extra dimension to the ballroom dances. Fran’s loving Spanish grandmother Ya Ya is played by warmly by Natalie Gamsu and her tough father Rico by Fernando Mira, who dances a mean flamenco.

Thomas Lacey does a awesome job of dancing and singing as Scott, who reluctantly agrees to do a few dance steps with Fran. Thomas has a wonderful chemistry with Phoebe, which is highlighted as their partnership develops during the show.

Scott’s parents Shirley and Doug are admirably played by Heather Mitchell, who is always smiling, crying or hysterical, and Drew Forsythe, the quite character who ponders on the past and what could have been in the future.

The other leads do a wonderful job with their exaggerated characters. Robert Grubb is the National Australian Federation of Dance) President Barry Fife, Bob Baines is Les.

The two children in the show, Kylie and Luke, are played by several different actors so that they do not overdo it fitting in their schooling and other activities. The 2 actors I saw were brilliant, and should progress on to other stage productions in the future as their singing and dancing continue to develop.

The ensemble should not be overlooked, as they fill the stage with joyous movement and glamour. I am sure that any of them could fill in as one of the lead actors roles if the need arose, as they are so talented.

The Strictly Ballroom musical is a sensual delight for the eyes and ears. It is all glitz and glamour that is brought to life on stage by the wonderful production team.

The sets and costumes were designed by Catherine Martin, Baz Luhrmann’s very creative and talented wife.

The costumes are a feature of Strictly Ballroom in their own right. The ball gowns and dance costumes of the ladies and men are a sight to behold. All the sequins and glitter look spectacular as the lights sparkle on them. The costume worn for the song “Heavenly Pineapple” stands out with its glitzy pineapples.

The large stage of the Lyric Theatre is used to its fullest. The various scenes in the musical of the dance studio, the Milk Bar, and the ballroom were all creatively designed on platforms that moved on and off the stage. Some split into parts and revolved around to reveal a different scene once turned. The two tiered set was ideal for the duet sung while dancing around the clothes line on top of the dance studio.

It is not only the stage that sets the scene for Strictly Ballroom. When you walk into the auditorium you are immediately thrust into the glitzy ballroom atmosphere by sparkling red stage curtain, the posters adorning the walls and the glistening seat covers in different colors. These make you feel that you are a part of what is happening, and you are not just viewing something that is only occurring on the stage.

The lighting designed by Hugh Vanstone really lit up the stage for the razzle and dazzle dance scenes with a huge mirrorball, and with more subdued directional spots for the more romantic scenes.

Wendy de Waal must have worked overtime with all the casts standout hair-dos and stage make-up. These made the characters personalities really stand out.

The songs in Strictly Ballroom are a mixture of songs from the 1992 movie and new additions especially written for the stage musical. All the songs are well worded and well placed to add to the show, not detract from it. The popular song of Cindy Lauper “Time After Time” has a far better lead introduction dialogue in this stage musical than in the movie as Scott promises that Fran will not fall and he will catch her. It is a highlight of Strictly Ballroom, as is when “Love is in the Air” fills the theatre as the curtains draw to a close.

Of course Strictly Ballroom would not be a show without the dancing. John “Cha Cha” O’Connel, the choreographer, brought all the spectacular dance scenes to life in the dance studio, on the street and rooftop, and at the ballroom championships. To me the dance highlight was the gusto and passion of the Spanish paso dobleo.

Max Lambert, the Musical Supervisor, pulled all the music together in a most wonderful way. We actually get to see the band play on stage in several segments, such as at the dance hall and for the Spanish street party. They are indeed a talented bunch of musicians playing for such a diverse range of song and dance styles.

A feature of Strictly Ballroom is the audience involvement in the show. This starts at the very commencement of the musical, when Dance Federation emcee JJ Silvers, played by Mark Owen-Taylor, asks audience members to cheer on their dance contestants matched to the colour of the seat covers they are sitting on.

Strictly Ballroom is approximately 2 hours & 50 minutes long, including 20 minute interval. It is the feel-good musical that is overflowing with sequins, glitz, glamour and laughs. It makes you smile throughout the entire show. The smile stays on your face as you leave the theatre and re-enter the real world. If you have not seen it yet, make sure you you book your seats before it dances out of town.

Strictly Ballroom Details

NOW PLAYING at the Lyric Theater in Sydney
Tickets can be bought online or by phone - 1300 795 267
Tickets on sale until 5 October 2014
Best seats are available Tuesday to Thursday
- Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday Evenings - Tickets $55 – $135
- Wednesday Matinee - Tickets $55 – $125
- Friday, Saturday & Sunday - Tickets $70 – $150
It moves to Melbourne in January 2015
Website: http://www.strictlyballroomthemusical.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strictlyballroomthemusical
Twitter: https://twitter.com/strictlystage