Given its origins as an early-90s cult Australian movie, it’s really no surprise that Strictly Ballroom was turned into a stage musical. This month, that musical stops at the WMC in Cardiff Bay with the touring production, directed by Mr Australian Ballroom himself – Strictly Come Dancing’s Craig Revel Horwood.
If you’re not familiar with Baz Lurhmann’s directorial debut, it follows rebellious young dancer Scott Hastings as his unconventional dancing sees him displease the Australian Dance Federation. Partnering with dance beginner Fran, who’s willing to dance his way, and with help from her Spanish family, will they win over everyone by not being strictly ballroom?
The stage is impressive to look at even before the show starts, all ostrich feathers and glitterball, as tunes are played (Men At Work’s Down Under, Peter Andre, you get the idea). Once in action, it’s mainly one set, with scene changes made by back projecting and nifty bits of scenery folding out from the side.
A message from Horwood, in full bogan Australian accent, sets the scene for us – 1990s Australia, a tiny bit tacky and a lot of camp! Talking of accents, some of the ones this evening were a bit wonky –a sufficiently strong Australian accent can sometimes veer into cockney – still, speaking personally I don’t consider this a theatrical crime, and a lot of Monday’s cast were covers besides. This included Edwin Ray, playing Scott Hastings on the opening two nights in place of Kevin Clifton, also of Strictly Come Dancing renown. Ray, previously part of Matthew Bourne’s company, has plenty of choreography experience and can act and sing too; he and Maisie Smith (another Strictly alum, plus Eastenders) had decent chemistry, and Smith has a fine voice.
Strictly Ballroom’s original songs are more interesting – and often funny, with some of them co-written by Lurhmann – but this show proves that Cyndi Lauper’s Time After Time is beautiful in any context. Of course, the dancing was beautiful to watch, even the wilfully awkward segments, with Horwood co-choreographer; the authentic-feeling Spanish Pasodoble ending to the first act was an incredible thing to watch.
Strictly Ballroom The Musical is a mixed bag, but one filled with sequins, sparkle, offbeat Australian humour and a Spanish Abuela playing the trumpet. With the book co-written by Baz Luhrmann, it retains the unique humour and feel of the original film. Don’t be a flaming galah and miss this fun night at the theatre.
Strictly Ballroom The Musical, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Mon 23 Jan
Strictly Ballroom The Musical is one until Sat 28 Jan. tickets: £18.50-£58. Info: here
words CHRIS WILLIAMS
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