STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL to Open at QPAC in September

Global Creatures confirmed today that Baz Luhrmann's much-loved hit show STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL will open in Brisbane at the Lyric Theatre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) in September 2015.

STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICALl had its global Premiere on Saturday 12 April at the Sydney Lyric Theatre, The Star and is currently playing at Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne.

This new production is staged by the original creative team behind the classic 1992 film, including director and co-writer Baz Luhrmann, set and costume designer Catherine Martin, choreographer John "Cha Cha" O'Connell and co-writer Craig Pearce.

Playing the pivotal roles of 'Scott Hastings' and 'Fran' is Thomas Lacey and Phoebe Panaretos who lead an outstanding Australian cast of 43 including Bob Baines as Les Kendall, Drew Forsythe as Doug Hastings, Natalie Gamsu as Abuela, Robert Grubb as Barry Fife, Fernando Mira as Rico, Heather Mitchell as Shirley Hastings and Mark Owen-Taylor as JJ Silvers.

STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL features break-into-song numbers created from original classics from the film, Love is in the Air, Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps, and Time After Time as well as some wonderful new songs by artists such as Eddie Perfect and Sia.

STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL is the inspiring story of a championship ballroom dancer who defies all the rules to follow his heart. This uplifting and courageous tale originated as a stage play that Baz Luhrmann devised with a group of students at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) back in 1984.

STRICTLY BALLROOM has a rich history; the first performance of the stage production was in 1984, before Baz Luhrmann was invited to re-stage the play for the Czechoslovakian World Youth Drama Festival in Bratislava in 1986 where it won best production and Luhrmann best director. After a preview season at the Brisbane Expo in 1988, the play then opened at the Wharf Studios in Sydney.

STRICTLY BALLROOM then went on to become one of the most successful Australian films of all time, earning more than $80 million at the box office.

Don't miss out on seeing on one of the greatest Australian stories ever told live on stage at QPAC, tickets for STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL will go on sale on Monday 2 March 2015 via www.qpac.com.au or by calling 136 246.