You know a show that starts with the host in a giant cassette is going to be a lot of fun.When that show is directed by Baz Lurhmann and based on one of his movies, you know you're about to see one of the greatest, craziest shows ever. Settling into our pink seats at the Sydney Lyric Theatre, the anticipation was palpable as we waited for Strictly Ballroom: the Musical to begin.
The crowd was involved from the very beginning, with Mark Owen-Taylor as JJ Silvers aligning sections with contestants (COME ON 83!!) before the company moved into the first number of the show, When You're Strictly Ballroom.
I don't even know where to start. It was extravagant and exciting and impressive.
The set and costumes blew me away. No surprise with Academy Award winner Catherine Martin working behind the scenes.
The way the set changes were incorporated into the show and, more specifically, the dances was wonderful and really helped the story flow as there was no chopping and changing from the dance studio to the Pan Pacifics and so on.
And the costumes, my goodness, the costumes. They were bright, they were detailed, they were intricately designed. I cannot even fathom the number of feathers and sequins that Catherine and her team worked with to bring the extravagant ballroom costumes to the stage where they were just as much a part of the story telling as the singing and acting.
The crowd was involved from the very beginning, with Mark Owen-Taylor as JJ Silvers aligning sections with contestants (COME ON 83!!) before the company moved into the first number of the show, When You're Strictly Ballroom.
I don't even know where to start. It was extravagant and exciting and impressive.
The set and costumes blew me away. No surprise with Academy Award winner Catherine Martin working behind the scenes.
The way the set changes were incorporated into the show and, more specifically, the dances was wonderful and really helped the story flow as there was no chopping and changing from the dance studio to the Pan Pacifics and so on.
And the costumes, my goodness, the costumes. They were bright, they were detailed, they were intricately designed. I cannot even fathom the number of feathers and sequins that Catherine and her team worked with to bring the extravagant ballroom costumes to the stage where they were just as much a part of the story telling as the singing and acting.
There was so much to absorb in those first numbers as we were introduced to the characters and the plot was quickly established.
Each and every person on the stage was working with their energy levels turned up to 100 even though it was a Wednesday night which I hear is the smallest night for the show.
The entire cast wow-ed me with their talent and passion from Rohan Browne's hilarious portrayal of Ken Railings, to the perfectly Puberty Blues-esque Liz Holt (Sophia Katos). When Doug Hastings opened his mouth to sing I was expecting a humorous, silly half song type thing but I couldn't have been more wrong! Drew Forsythe was incredible dancing and singing the night away. Kylie Hastings (Jordan Lazarus) and Luke (Connor Griffith) were delightful and Kate Wilson was so entertaining as Fran's dance partner Natalie. To learn the paso doble with Abuela (Natalie Gamsu) and Rico (Fernando Mira) as your teacher would be such an experience, even just sitting in the audience I was feeling the rhythm and finding it difficult to sit still!
I cannot forget the performances of Thomas Lacey and Phoebe Panaretos who play Scott Hastings and Fran (Just Fran) respectively. They were such a wonderful pair!
I am a Dance Academy fan (guilty!) and I was so excited to see the Benster performing again since DVD reruns just aren't the same, and I was beyond impressed. I don't know if I took a breath during Scott's Solo, I was so entranced. He did not stop the entire show which could not have been easy but aside from the sheen of sweat on his face you'd have no idea how hard Thomas was working, he made it look effortless.
And Phoebe, I had never seen her in anything and had only heard snippets about her and now I am a die hard fan. She was absolutely perfect as Fran, nailing the balance between comedic and emotional. I got emotional watching her and may have shed a tear or two, I was utterly awed by her rendition of Beautiful Surprise. I can not say a bad thing about her at all.
Each and every person on the stage was working with their energy levels turned up to 100 even though it was a Wednesday night which I hear is the smallest night for the show.
The entire cast wow-ed me with their talent and passion from Rohan Browne's hilarious portrayal of Ken Railings, to the perfectly Puberty Blues-esque Liz Holt (Sophia Katos). When Doug Hastings opened his mouth to sing I was expecting a humorous, silly half song type thing but I couldn't have been more wrong! Drew Forsythe was incredible dancing and singing the night away. Kylie Hastings (Jordan Lazarus) and Luke (Connor Griffith) were delightful and Kate Wilson was so entertaining as Fran's dance partner Natalie. To learn the paso doble with Abuela (Natalie Gamsu) and Rico (Fernando Mira) as your teacher would be such an experience, even just sitting in the audience I was feeling the rhythm and finding it difficult to sit still!
I cannot forget the performances of Thomas Lacey and Phoebe Panaretos who play Scott Hastings and Fran (Just Fran) respectively. They were such a wonderful pair!
I am a Dance Academy fan (guilty!) and I was so excited to see the Benster performing again since DVD reruns just aren't the same, and I was beyond impressed. I don't know if I took a breath during Scott's Solo, I was so entranced. He did not stop the entire show which could not have been easy but aside from the sheen of sweat on his face you'd have no idea how hard Thomas was working, he made it look effortless.
And Phoebe, I had never seen her in anything and had only heard snippets about her and now I am a die hard fan. She was absolutely perfect as Fran, nailing the balance between comedic and emotional. I got emotional watching her and may have shed a tear or two, I was utterly awed by her rendition of Beautiful Surprise. I can not say a bad thing about her at all.
The talent of those on stage, both cast and musicians, was well and truly highlighted by the music. With old favourites alongside new songs from Aussies Eddie Perfect and Sia I still have a bit of a medley going on in my head. There are songs that make you want to dance, fall in love, start over, and just enjoy life. Now all that's missing is a cast recording so we can relive it again and again!
I am honoured that I got to experience the opening season of Strictly Ballroom: the Musical and witness first hand the amazing talent from Australia that perfectly embraced what made Strictly Ballroom the movie such a success.
I am honoured that I got to experience the opening season of Strictly Ballroom: the Musical and witness first hand the amazing talent from Australia that perfectly embraced what made Strictly Ballroom the movie such a success.
A life lived in fear is a life half lived.