Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom At The Grand Theatre And Opera House, Leeds Review

Reviewed by Claire Giles

Based on the Baz Luhrmann’s cult hit Australian 1992 film of the same name Strictly Ballroom The Musical has been adapted for the stage and is out on its first ever UK tour. Directed by Craig Revel Horwood, best known as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing, also co-choreographed the show with Jason Gilkison, who is the creative director for Strictly. Therefore I was expecting some amazing dance performances and wow did they deliver.

We watched the show at The Grand Theatre & Opera House in Leeds. The Grand is based in Leeds City Centre so is easily accessible by car or public transport. There is plenty of payable car parking nearby. The staff were all very friendly and helpful.

The show starts on a high with an all cast high energy dance number which really sets the scene for the rest of the show. The dancing really is the main focus of the show. The audience gets a glance into the other side of competitive ballroom dancing which isn’t all as glamorous as it first seems. It’s cutthroat with dancers willing to do whatever it takes to get to the top and win.

Australian ballroom dancer Scott Hastings has been dancing since he was a young child under the tutelage of his pushy dance mum Shirley and dance teacher Les. He is on track to win the Pan Pacific Grand Prix if he toes the line, follows the rules and dances the regulation steps as expected. Scott is frustrated at not being able to dance the way he really wants rebels and dances his moves, his way. His dance partner Liz reaches her breaking point and ends their partnership with just three weeks to go till the Grand Prix meaning Scott needs a new partner and fast. Whilst his mother and dance teacher scramble to find him a new professional dance partner in time. Scott, unbeknown to them, makes the controversial decision to partner with novice beginner dancer Fran would want to dance with Scott his way and maybe add in a few moves of her own. Spending the next three weeks teaching Fran to dance leads to a love neither expected.

Taking on the lead role as Scott Hastings is professional dancer Kevin Clifton. After watching Kevin on Strictly Come Dancing I already know he is a phenomenal dancer but I was pleasantly shocked at his singing and acting abilities (and more surprising his believable Australian accent!). He brought some real emotional depth to Scott’s character who is arrogant in his dance ability yet angry that he can’t dance as he desires and doesn’t understand what is so wrong with dancing his way.

Faye Brookes as Fran is believable in naivety which is almost comical at times. Faye whom is best known for her part In Coronation Street shocked me with her astounding singing voice and dancing ability. Playing a real plain Jane who comes from a traditional Spanish family wanting to learn ballroom dancing but not really fitting in with all the glamour and glitz. A real outstanding moment of the show is when Scott meets Fran’s family in the bar at the end of act one. Scott tries to impress Rico, Fran’s father with his paso doble but gets laughed at by her family. Rico shows Scott how to really dance a real authentic paso doble which was a real show stopper. Fran’s abuela teaches Scott to dance from the heart and feel the rhythm rather than just learning the moves.

With a cast of over 20 world-class performers dressed in some sensational colourful costumes covered in glitter, sequins and feathers galore really makes for some epic performances on stage.

Though there isn’t a lot of depth to the plot there is plenty of humour, an amazing cast, underlying love story, singing and most of all dancing that will have you toe tapping and singing along. The finale all cast performance of ‘Love Is In The Air’ ends the show on a real high. This all makes for a fun and lively entertaining evening for all.

Rating: 4.5/5
Tickets cost from £30-£55
Strictly Ballroom The Musical is at The Grand Theatre & Opera House Leeds from Mon 3 – Sat 8 July 2023
For more information or to book tickets visit www.leedsheritagetheatres.com or call the box office on 0113 243 0808
Leeds Grand Theatre, 46 New Briggate, Leeds, LS1 6NU