Matt Byrne has announced his cast for the SA Premiere season of Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom in July 2019.

The show will run at the Arts Theatre from July 4-6 and 9 to 13 and at Elizabeth’s Shedley Theatre from July 18 to 20 and 25 to 27.

Strictly Ballroom tells the story of top ballroom dancer called Scott who pairs with a plain, left-footed local girl called Fran when his maverick style earns him the disdain of his more conventionally-minded colleagues. Together, the team gives it their all and makes dreams of the National Championship title come true.

The 1992 film was a massive hit and Baz Luhrmann has had great success with a series of stage versions, which will feature classic numbers like Love Is In The Air and Time After Time and catchy original songs by Eddie Perfect.

Producer/director Byrne said he was “thrilled to get such a fabulous all-Adelaide cast “ to present the SA stage premiere of this wonderful Australian musical.”

“We have Kurt Benton as Scott Hastings and Kate Harrison as Fran, in the roles that made Paul Mercurio and Tate Morice famous in the 1992 movie version, Byrne said.

“We have a range of great performers in the dancer roles, including Joel Amos as Ken Railings, Lauren Weber as Liz, Shenayde Wilikinson-Sarti as Tina Sparkle, Jake Mellings as Wayne Burns and Sonja Ponikvar as Pam Short.

“I will play the Dance President Barry Fife, Carolyn Adams will play Scott’s Mum Shirley Hastings, Russell Ford will play his father Doug Hastings, Max Rayner will play the Dance Studio boss Les Kendall, and Wade Cook will play the DJ announcer JJ Silvers.

“Then we have Gavin Cianci as Fran’s father Rico and Nikki Martin as her grand mother Abuela, and some outstanding young performers with Calin Diamond playing Luke and Scott’s kid sister Kylie will be shared by Arwen Diamond and Holly Abbott.

“The all-important ensemble will feature Vanessa Jessica Wolfendale as Vanessa, Tom Adams as Merv, Shivawn Young as Muriel, Hannah Dandie as Natalie, Barbara Nutchey as Emily, Deborah Joy Ralph as Stephanie, Dion Sandique as Rory, Ricardo DeJesus as Tommy and Tania Abela as Rosalia.”

Byrne will direct and design the show with Jesse Budel as Musical Director and Jennifer Trijo as Assistant MD, with Anne Williams, Anne Humphries and Sue Winston as the Costume Team.

Arthur Murray’s Tara Johnston and Thomas Coghlan will choreograph the show and Arthur Murray are also major sponsor of the production.

“I am thrilled with our production team who were wonderful to work with during the tough audition process, we are off to a great start.”

Ticket Info:

Strictly Ballroom will play the Arts Theatre from July 4-6 and 9-13 at 8 p.m. and July 6 and 13 at 2 p.m. It will then play Elizabeth’s Shedley Theatre from July 18-20 and 25-27 at 8 p.m. and July 20 and 27 at 2 p.m.

The $25 Cheap Nights will be Tuesday, July 9 at the Arts and Thursday, July 18 at the Shedley.

Admission is $45 Adults and $38 for Concessions, with Group Discount prices of $42 /$35 for 10 or more.

Bookings are available on mattbyrnemedia.com.au, 8262 4906, Ticketek or dramatix.com.au (agency booking fees apply.)