Strictly Ballroom - The Musical
Theatre Royal Norwich
Following its pre-pandemic West End run at London's Picadilly Theatre, 'Strictly Ballroom – The Musical' finally stepped out on its gruelling nationwide tour in September of last year, with Portsmouth being the first of no less than 39 scheduled stops. This week, almost two thirds of the way through its itinerary, it arrives at Norwich Theatre Royal as a post-Easter treat for Norfolk audiences.
Originally conceived as a play by Australian film director Baz Lurhmann, this story of talented, but free-spirited, dancer Scott Hastings went on to become Luhrmann's first movie in 1992, the first part of his 'Red Curtain Trilogy' that later included 'Romeo + Juliet' and 'Moulin Rouge'.
Now, thanks to director Craig Revel Horwood and co-choreographer Jason Gilkison, the magic of 'Strictly Ballroom' is where it truly belongs – live on stage. And, in a pre-recorded message delivered by Horwood, featuring some deliberately over-elongated antipodean vowel sounds, he delivers the usual pre-show warning to turn off our mobile phones, before reverting to his more familiar tone, and wishing us all a 'Fab-U-Lous' evening.
And whilst the show follows the plot of Luhrmann's film fairly closely, it is the thrill of the live dancers, the colour of the costumes, the innovative set design and the glorious lighting that makes 'Strictly Ballroom – The Musical' such a delight from start to finish. Headed up by Kevin Clifton, the professional dancer given the nickname 'Kevin from Grimsby' by Sir Bruce Forsyth on television's 'Strictly Come Dancing', the entire cast transform the stage into a frisson of colour and movement whilst re-telling the story of Scott's dream to win the Pan-Pacific Grand Prix Dancing Championship with his partner Fran (played by Coronation Street star Faye Brookes).
But, whilst Clifton and Brookes may be the dream team when it comes to charisma and chemistry on the dance floor, it is in the supporting cast that some of the funniest, and most entertaining, performances are to be found. Mark Sangster and Michelle Buckley (as Scott's parents Doug and Shirley) are prime examples – contributing hugely to the comedy, yet still able to cut it on the dance floor when required. The appearance of Spanish dancer Jose Agudo as Fran's father, Rico, not only lends some Andalusian authenticity to the role, but provides for a fiery flamenco finale to the first half of the show.
The off-stage band provide the music, and with a mix of pieces especially written for the show, but also with favourites from the film, songs like Cyndi Lauper's 'Time After Time', and the Doris Day hit 'Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps'. With the the glorious strains of 70's classic 'Love Is In The Air' providing the climactic climax, this music is the cherry on the cake with this choreographic confection.
Even if you have never seen the original film, or even sat through a single episode of 'Strictly Come Dancing', you cannot help but be carried away by the wave of pure pleasure that this show provides. As Mr Horwood, himself, told us right at the beginning, “It is simply fab-u-lous, darlings!”
