By James Karas
Strictly Ballroom, The Musical, has the benefit of truth in the title. It is indeed an extravaganza of
ballroom dancing based on Baz Lurhmann’s 1992 film of the same name, minus the
subtitle.
There is a plot that may be described as typical of a musical, there is
singing, some production (and perhaps overproduction) values that bring colour,
energy, movement and even excitement. But most of all there is serious,
competitive ballroom dancing that is elegant, muscular, virtually acrobatic and
simply extraordinary.
Photo from 2016 UK Production of Strictly Ballroom - Photo
Credit: Alastair Muir
The musical is set in Australia where ballroom dancing seems to be taken
as a competitive sport and winning the Pan-Pacific Dancing Competition is like
winning the Stanley Cup. The plot is, to coin a phrase, as corny as Kansas in
August. Scott (Sam Lips) comes from a family of ballroom dancers and he is
aiming for the Pan-Pacific. He is a brilliant dancer and he wants to be
creative as well as highly competent. In other words he wants to invent his own
steps and according to the rules that is unacceptable.
He meets the frumpy Fran (Gemma Sutton) and dismisses her out of hand
until he realizes that, like him, she is not only highly talented but also
inventive.
His mother Shirley (Tamsin Carroll) and Fran’s proto-homo sapiens father Rico (Fernando Mira) oppose the idea for
different reasons. Rico can do some remarkable Spanish steps but he is very
short on temper and English. The latter characteristic with Fran’s grandmother
Abuela’s (Eve Polycarpou) equal facility with English provide some laughs but
more annoyance.
With so much opposition to Scott and Fran dancing together and some
other complications the big question as to who will dance and who will win and
who will be disqualified for the Pan-Pacific remain in suspenseful doubt until the
last pirouettes and acrobatics of the evening. Sure.
There are a number of songs by the main characters and the ensemble but
no one will be indicted for first-degree singing and most will get clemency and
some credit for second degree renditions usually with fervor if not tonal
beauty.
The revolving set by Soutra Gilmour provides quick changes in scenes
with risers on the side, a big arch with room for actors on the top and generally
a grandiose effect.
The costumes by Catherine Martin provide the usual frills for the women dancers, tights and sparkles for
everyone and legs that go on forever to combine with generous displays of
flesh.
Drew McOnie choreographed and directs the large cast in what is intended
and is very much a ballroom dancing extravaganza held together by a corny plot
but enhanced by production values that some may consider overdone.
Lips, Sutton, Carroll, Charlotte Gooch, Lauren Stroud, Gary Watson and
the ensemble display grace, athleticism, vigour and sheer dancing talent that
is nothing less than astounding. The rest is simply a means of getting them on
stage to dance.
___
Strictly Ballroom, The Musical created by Baz Luhrmann, adapted by
Terry Johnson based on the film with new musical numbers by various composers
opened On May 3 and will continue until June 25, 2017 at The Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King St.
West, Toronto , Ontario . www.mirvish.com.
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