John Kitching, Writer

Strictly Ballroom Bradford Alhambra

Our winter love affair with ballroom dancing through the TV series Strictly Come Dancing seems destined to make this show a box office hit. Indeed, if this opening night audience is anything to go by, tickets are going to be at a premium, and the cast certainly deserve it. They turned up for a night in the spangled world of the dance floor and were not disappointed.

Kevin Clifton and Agnes Pure
Kevin Clifton and Agnes Pure
The show is based on Baz Luhrmann’s 1992 film of the same name, itself based on his own 1984 play written as a student at drama school in Sydney. It tells the story of Scott Hastings, born into a ballroom dancing family. Struggling to find his own personal style of dance he wins a competition with innovative and ‘crowd-pleasing’ moves only to be criticised and denounced by the Australian Dance Federation as not ‘strictly ballroom’.

After losing a regional championship due to Scott dancing his own steps his long-term partner Liz Holt leaves him to team up with the regional winner following a car crash which injured his own partner, leaving Scott with just 3 weeks to find a partner, but finding someone willing to dance in his unconventional style may be far from easy. Will he find his partner, will the Federation allow Scott’s style of dancing?

Directed with style, sympathy and a little Australian comedy by Strictly Come Dancing judge, native Australian, Craig Revel Horwood, who knows a thing or two about unconventional dance steps. Craig also co-choreographs with Jason Gilkison with glitz, glamour, tongue in cheek humour and a knee slide or two.

Kevin Clifton and Fay Brookes
Kevin Clifton and Fay Brookes
The cast of over 20 top performers led by Strictly Come Dancing’s favourite Kevin Clifton and Coronation Street’s Faye Brookes, fill the stage with masses of energy and commitment whilst maintaining control and poise in the routines. As Craig would say they are A-MAZ-ING darlings.

Music ranges from popular classics such as Love is in the Air, Time After Time and Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps but this is not just another ‘juke-box musical’ with all-new numbers written by internationally acclaimed artists including Sia, David Foster and Eddie Perfect. The numbers stand up to the test with Beautiful Surprise destined to stay with me for a long time having the most haunting tune and lyrics wonderfully delivered by Fran and Scott.

Kevin, as Scott, shows himself to have as good a singing voice as he does dancing feet, as for Faye, this was her opening night, having taken over the role of Fran. Her portrayal of a nervous, star-struck novice dancer who builds confidence and flowers to be Scott’s partner was a joy to behold.

Mention must be made of my own highlight when Fran’s father Rico, played by Jose Agudo, ably assisted by Abuela, Karen Mann, teaches Scott how to dance the Paso Doble and the whole company joins in a joyous Flamenco inspired dance to end the first half.

A real all-singing, all-dancing and all-glittering show that dazzled the opening night audience, who danced out into the night on a cloud of ballroom euphoria.

Strictly one not to be missed.

Strictly Ballroom Bradford Alhambra
To Saturday April 1st