BWW Reviews: STRICTLY BALLROOM The Musical

Baz Luhrman's Strictly Ballroom "The Musical" opened in Melbourne last night to great fanfare. Based on Luhrman's 1992 iconic Australian film, and Presented by Global Creatures, the team behind the musical King Kong, there is only one word that can describe this show...boring. It's long, drawn out and uneventful sequences result in an underwhelming piece of theatre. It is a stretch to call this show a musical, in fact you can't. Though originally written as a play by Luhrman this production is a re-working of a film for the stage. The show pastiches clichéd classics from varied eras and combines them with a smattering of original songs resulting in a score that is flavorless and unmemorable. The action never reaches the heightened state it needs to in order to warrant a song, leaving the show brimming full of unfulfilled moments that cheat the public out of anything that could be deemed a real or satisfying moment.

Relationships are never fleshed out in the show. So much so that when our leading pair Scott (Thomas Lacey) and Fran (Phoebe Panteros) decide they do in fact love each other it's unbelievable and hard to accept. There simply hasn't been the progression in the book of their characters and their relationship for the show to warrant this enormous leap in time.Panteros played Fran with a girlish charm that evolved into her womanlier passionate adult self by shows end, but struggled vocally throughout the night. As did Lacey, whose vocals were as underwhelming as the repetitive choreography he was given throughout the show. Clearly he is a very talented boy but you have to feel he had more to give than what was utilzed. A similar sentiment could be employed for the entire ensemble who were clearly working at a premium level with a mundane score and unimaginative choreography by John "Cha Cha" O'Connell. In a show about dancing not once was there a wow moment. Yet again, another element leaving the show flat and lifeless. Fernando Mira's (Rico) incredible flamenco and Natalie Gamsu's (Abuela) vocals stand out amongst the work of the supporting cast and it is a breath of fresh air when they enter the show (far too late) at the conclusion of Act 1.

Strictly Ballroom's redeeming feature, (and the only part that is not boring) is Catherine Martin's design. Thank goodness for this. The set and costume design are quite simply stunning and visually the show is spectacular. Put the costumes and set into a visual arts museum and you would have a wonderful exhibition, couple it with the book and score and you have an exhibition of how not to produce a musical. This is Global Creature's second major production in as many years, and while King Kong had a mystic and spiritual heart, this follow up really lacks any notion of heart. Both shows have gone for visual wow factor and have achieved it beyond doubt, but at what cost? In the case of Strictly Ballroom, it's at the cost of tarnishing a truly iconic Australian film.

Strictly Ballroom

Her Majesty's Theatre Melbourne Currently booking until May 2015

Tickets: ticketek.com.au

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