Strictly Ballroom to transfer to London's Piccadilly Theatre in 2018

Baz Luhrmann's musical Strictly Ballroom is to open at the Piccadilly Theatre in London following a successful run in Leeds last year.

The show, based on Luhrmann's 1992 film, opened at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in 2016, and is directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie (Jesus Christ Superstar, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre; The Lorax, Old Vic). It will run at the Piccadilly Theatre from 16th March 2018, with an official opening on 11th April. 

Strictly Ballroom tells the story of Scott, a competitive ballroom dancer in '80s Australia who makes up his own moves and finds himself aggravating ballroom-purists. He follows his heart to, not only find his true calling in dance, but also find his true love.

The musical features the songs the hit songs from the film "Love Is in the Air" by John Paul Young, "Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps" by Doris Day, and a version of Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time".

Baz Luhrmann is renowned for his unique brand of films, which include Moulin Rouge, Romeo and Juliet and The Great Gatsby.

Strictly Ballroom is based on a short play Luhrmann wrote while he was a student at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts in Sydney in the '80s. After an expanded version of the play was a success at Sydney's Wharf Theatre, Luhrmann was approached to turn it into a film. The writer agreed, on the condition he could direct the movie, and it was Luhrmann's first film. It went on to be one of the highest grossing Australian films of all time.

Casting for the London production is yet to be announced. In Leeds, the musical starred Gemma Sutton, Sam Lips, Tamsin Carroll and Stephen Matthews. 

Strictly Ballroom Tickets will be available soon.

Image from original WYP productiom, (c) Alastair Muir