If I had to choose one word to describe Baz Luhrmann's Strictly Ballroom the Musical it would be joyous.
Arriving at the Piccadilly Theatre at the end of the warmest April day in over fifty years, the audience were ready to have a good night and the show delivered.
Will Young starts the proceedings coming onto the stage as MC Wally Strand and telling us (in his surprisingly good Australian accent) how Scott Hastings is going to change the world of ballroom dancing. From that moment I was hooked. Moving the story along, talking to the audience with a ready quip, Will plays the role as though he was born it.
Centred around the Amateur Australian Federation Cup all eyes are on the dancers desperate to win it, but Scott Hastings is a rebel, who won't stick to the rules. When he partners beginner Fran, the sparks fly and the dancing is hot! Jonny Labey and Ziz Strallen have a real chemistry on the stage, and when they dance together it is breathtaking. My favourite dance was one where they don't actually touch. Hands and arms centimetres apart there is an intensity and passion through the moves.
I loved Fran's Abuela (Eve Polycarpou) and the flamenco dancing from her father (Fernando Mira) is stunning. There is comedy throughout, glitzy ballroom costumes, with great vocals from Will Young and an energy that is palpable from the whole cast.
For me, the best shows are the ones where the time disappears as you are part of a the magical world of whichever show you are seeing. Strictly Ballroom was one of those shows. It has a real feel good factor that we probably all need at the moment. I would recommend anyone to escape to Australia and the world that is Strictly Ballroom.
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