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Showing posts with label Strictly Ballroom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Strictly Ballroom. Show all posts

Sunday 20 April 2014

Strictly Ballroon - Review

Strictly Ballroom has all the razzamatazz of a musical and more. Right from the moment you enter the auditorium you are entertained. It doesn't matter where your seats are you are surrounded by the glitz and glamour of a ballroom venue.
Before the show gets underway the audience is given their dancing pairs to cheer for. This is a great idea as you feel part of the show, immediately.  The singing, acting, dancing, set, costumes, lighting, sound, direction, production were all brilliant in my opinion. The costumes and set design are under the direction of award winning Catherine Martin, who has for a long time collaborated with Baz Luhrumann the Director and Co-writer. Luhrumann originally co-wrote Strictly Ballroom as a short play, before turning it into a film and now the musical.
My only criticism of the whole show was that the opening number or couple of numbers did seem a little cheesy and over the top. However, this did not effect my overall enjoyment of the night. So, what is the story? Well there is nothing unusual. One of the dancers, Scott Hastings played by Thomas Lacey comes from a dancing family but he puts them to shame by not dancing the "correct steps" and loses the competition. His partner walks out on him, so he has to find a new partner. Fran played by Phoebe Panaretos, wants to dance but has little experience, however she persuades him to secretly train her to be his partner. Of course his family are also trying to find a new partner for him and set him up with Tina Sparkle, one of the best female dancers around. Now he has the dilemma to dance with Tina the traditional way or Fran and take dance in a new direction. Fran in the meantime feels shunned and Scott ends up at her parents house and learns how to dance from the heart from her father.  Of course it all comes good in the end and Fran and Scott dance their way and fall in love!
Thomas is an amazing dancer and Phoebe's voice brings the house down. The two together are electric.
You may think that this musical will be more enjoyed by the female audience, however you will be wrong, many men will enjoy it too, don't be fooled by the title it is not lots of ballroom dancing.  It is very funny and it is very Australian!
It is certainly worth the money so book your tickets now and go and see it.  

Sunday 1 September 2013

Strictly Ballroom searches for a Fran - Auditions

STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL will tango, sashay and bogo pogo its way onto the Sydney Lyric stage from 25 March 2014, thanks to the original creative team behind the classic 1992 film, director and co-writer Baz Luhrmann, set and costume designer Catherine Martin, choreographer John “Cha Cha” O’Connell and co-writer Craig Pearce.

Although auditions have been held for some time Baz Luhrmann is still looking for an actress to play the lead female role “Fran”.

General auditions will be held in Melbourne on Saturday 21 September and in Sydney on Sunday 22 September. Just show up on the day ready for action.

“Fran” is a girl in her early 20’s who blossoms from the ugly, awkward duckling of the dance studio into a beautiful and passionate dancer (and Scott’s dance partner) as they display their breathtaking, rule-breaking new dance routine in the finale of the show. A character who undergoes a real transformation, as Fran and Scott become dance partners, fall in love and stand up for what they believe in. She is truthful, can be very direct and is strong and proud.

Anyone can come and audition but certain skills are required. Auditionees should be a strong actor/singer with dance training, ballroom training is a bonus but not essential. No vocal range is specified. Auditionees should bring sheet music for a song of their choice in the right key, but ideally people auditioning should prepare the Cyndi Lauper song “Time After Time” or another 80’s ballad.

Just turn up on the day and register between 9am and 10am. Auditionees must bring a headshot and full resume of their training in singing, acting and dance and any performance work they have done. If they are called back to dance on the day they will need to wear characters shoes. They need to be prepared to wait around. Any successful auditionees will be required to attend a professional audition call – in Sydney on Monday the 23rd and in Melbourne on Thursday the 26th. Full details will be supplied to them at the end of their audition on the Saturday or Sunday.

Melbourne Saturday 21 September from 9am

Revolt Theatre, 12 Elizabeth St, Kensington 3031

Sydney Sunday 22 September from 9am

Bangarra Dance Theatre, Pier 4, 15 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay 2000

Information www.lynneruthvencasting.com

STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL is the inspiring story of a championship ballroom dancer who defies all the rules to follow his heart. This uplifting and courageous tale originated as a stage play that Baz Luhrmann devised with a group of students at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) back in 1984. Then, after a preview season at the Brisbane Expo in 1988, the play opened at the Wharf Studios in Sydney.

Strictly Ballroom went on to become one of the most successful Australian films of all time, earning more than $80 million at the box office. Discovered at the Cannes Film Festival, it was winner of the Prix de Jeunnesse and runner up for the Palme D’Or. When released in Australia, Strictly Ballroom swept the field at the 1992 Australian Film Institute (AFI) Awards, gaining 13 nominations and winning in eight major categories. With the success of the film, its closing song, a remake of the John Paul Young song Love is in the Air, re-entered the Australian charts and became a Top 5 hit in October 1992.

In a brand new theatrical production, STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL will bring this iconic story to life on stage. It will feature break-into-song numbers created from original classics from the film, Love is in the Air, Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps, and Time After Time as well as newly composed songs.

Bookings: Ticketmaster.com.au or 1300 795 26

www.strictlyballroomthemusical.com