Strictly silly new musical opens

An infectiously fun adaptation or flat footed farce?

April 25th, 2018 - Baz Luhrmann's zany musical adaptation of his much-loved 1992 film opened last night in a confection of glitter and silliness, presided over by Will Young as new character Wally, our guide into the wild world of the Australian Open Amateur 'Strictly Ballroom' leagues.

Most of the press seemed to have got the gist of the frankly ridiculous (but no less hilarious) show, with Time Out labeling it, 'A joyously eccentric musical take on Baz Luhrmann's fabulous dancing yarn' and Broadway World UK enthusing over its rebellious spirit, 'a delicious satire of 1980s Australian competitive ballroom... a universal story of the fight for fearless self-expression. In short: 'Love, freedom and sequins'.

Naysayers included the Guardian who gave it a low score but did admit 'It does, however, yield the moment of ecstasy I look for in a musical'. We guess when you're dancing to your own beat, you can't please everyone!