BAZ Luhrmann’s smash hit musical Strictly Ballroom is set to sashay into Southampton later this month, directed by the fab-u-lous Craig Revel Horwood and starring Strictly favourites Kevin Clifton and Maisie Smith.
The tour, choreographed by judge Craig Revel Horwood and Strictly Come Dancing's Creative Director Jason Gilkison, sees Kevin Clifton fulfil a lifelong ambition as Scott Hastings and EastEnders star and Strictly Come Dancing finalist Maisie Smith making her musical theatre debut in the lead female role of Fran.
Kevin and Maisie were previous champions of the Strictly Come Dancing Children in Need Special 2019 and will take to the stage at Mayflower Theatre from February 20 to 25.
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Foxtrotting around the UK and Ireland, the show is based on the award-winning, global film phenomenon, Strictly Ballroom, which inspired the world to dance and spawned the smash hit TV series Strictly Come Dancing.
Maisie Smith is excited to be playing fledgling hoofer Fran. She told the Daily Echo: "It combines all my favourite things: singing, dancing, acting, sequins and a bit of glitz and glamour.
"It’s such an amazing role to play in my first-ever musical. It’s such a feel-good show and everyone will come out of the theatre feeling the love and the excitement. And of course it’s got such great dancing and music in it - Latin flavours, modern tracks and some real classics."
Strictly Ballroom The Musical tells the beguiling story of Scott Hastings, a talented, arrogant and rebellious young ballroom dancer. When Scott’s radical dance moves see him fall out of favour with the Australian Federation, he finds himself dancing with Fran, a beginner with no moves at all. Inspired by one another, this unlikely pair gather the courage to defy both convention and their families.
Bringing together a sublime cast of over 20 world-class performers, Strictly Ballroom includes the songs Love is in the Air, Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps and Time After Time, as well as some new songs by Sia, David Foster and Eddie Perfect.
It promises to be an unforgettable night under the glitter ball.
Tickets from mayflower.org.uk
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