As part of its first ever UK tour, Strictly Ballroom stopped at The Alhambra where Leo Owen caught the show

Adapted for the stage by Baz Luhrmann from his hugely successful low budget 1992 debut, directed by Craig Revel Horwood and starring Strictly Come Dancing champion, Kevin Clifton, as the lead Scott Hastings, this new adaptation certainly has star appeal. After the film spawned the TV series, this update of the original 2014 musical, keeps close links to its brainchild, boasting co-choreography from Strictly Come Dancing’s Creative Director Jason Gilkison, the likely inspiration for Luhrmann and co-writer Craig Pearce’s protagonist.

Horwood aligns the show to Luhrmann’s original film, restoring songs and references that didn’t make it into the first stage version. He reconnects with his Australian heritage in a voice-over taking us to the 1990s when Jane Fonda’s “No pain, no gain” was the mantra of many, Nelson Mandela was finally freed and Margaret Thatcher’s time was up.

Mark Walters’s lush set and spangly costume design whisks us very specifically to the ballroom community with cast ripping off clothes to reveal yet more glitz in a fabulous opening number. His eye-catching backdrop is night sky meets the ocean with a nod to Tina Sparkles’ (Agnes Pure) legendary hair. Setting up the tense three week count down to the Pan-Pacific Grand Prix Dancing Championship, Walter’s set flits between locations but always keeps the glamour, acknowledging the pretence all dancers aspire to uphold.

A live five-piece band accompany performers as a series of both old and new songs tell Fran (Faye Brookes) and Scott’s story as they move from reluctant dance partners to rebellious allies and eventually lovers. A rooftop rendition of “Time After Time” is playful and a delight to watch with genuine chemistry between Clifton and Brookes. A fiery paso doble with Fran’s family is accompanied by a steamy Spanish version of “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps”. “Beautiful Surprise” is another moving duet (Clifton and Brookes), “Love is in the Air” an uplifting reprise and new songs courtesy of the likes of Sia, David Foster and Eddie Perfect combine harmoniously.

The unique brand of comedy captured in Luhrmann’s original screenplay readily translates to the stage with melodramatic laughs and an especially effective flashback to Scott’s parents Doug (Benjamin Harrold) and Shirley (Nikki Belsher) in their youth.

Luring in both Strictly Come Dancing enthusiasts and Baz Luhrmann fans, Strictly Ballroom packs out the auditorium, daring us to embrace opportunities by remembering Fran’s proverb “a life lived in fear is a life half lived”. Thoroughly absorbing, feel good and fun with exceptional dancing, Strictly Ballroom, challenges us to “Be fabulous!” like its company. A well-deserved standing ovation for an exceedingly accomplished cast.

Strictly Ballroom showed at The Alhambra until April 1st before continuing its tour of the UK: https://strictlyballroomtour.co.uk/