Further Casting Announced For STRICTLY BALLROOM The Musical

Anna Francolini and Gerard Horan will join previously announced Jonny Labey, Zizi Strallen and Will Young in the company for Baz Luhrmann's Strictly Ballroom The Musical. Based on Baz Luhrmann's classic film that inspired the world to dance, Strictly Ballroom The Musical will begin performances at the Piccadilly Theatre on Thursday 29th March 2018 (Press Night Tuesday 24th April).

Anna Francolini will play Shirley Hastings, the hilarious former dancer who will do whatever it takes to ensure her son Scott succeeds. Anna's stage credits include wonder.land (National Theatre), That Day We Sang (Royal Exchange Theatre), Peter Pan (National Theatre) and Onassis (Novello Theatre).

Gerard Horan will play Barry Fife, the corrupt ruler of the ballroom-dancing world. Gerard's stage credits include The Ferryman (Royal Court / Gielgud Theatre), The Vote (Donmar Warehouse), The Christmas Truce (Royal Shakespeare Company) and One Man Two Guvnors (Theatre Royal Haymarket). His film credits include Murder on the Orient Express, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella and Les Miserables. His television credits include Outlander, Doctor Who and three series' of The Detectorists.

The cast includes Will Young (Cabaret, Mrs Henderson Presents), Zizi Strallen (Follies, Cats, Mary Poppins), Jonny Labey (EastEnders, Dance Dance Dance), Michelle Bishop (Thoroughly Modern Milly, Sunset Boulevard) as Pam Short, Ivan de Freitas (Jesus Christ Superstar, Aladdin) as Merv, Gabriela Garcia (In The Heights, Ghost) as Vanessa Cronin, Charlotte Gooch (Top Hat, Dirty Dancing) as Tina Sparkle, Richard Grieve (Neighbours, Emmerdale and Priscilla Queen of the Desert) as Les Kendall, Liam Marcellino (Cabaret, Miss Saigon) as Wayne Burns, Stephen Matthews (The Lion King, The Producers) as Doug Hastings, Fernando Mira (ENO, Victorian State Opera) as Rico, Eve Polycarpou (Villa Thalia, In The Heights) as Abuela, Lauren Stroud (Top Hat, Hairspray) as Liz Holt & Gary Watson (Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be, A Chorus Line, Jersey Boys) as Ken Railings.

The cast also includes Chris Bennett, Chrissy Brooke, Hannah Fairclough, Selina Hamilton, Christopher D Hunt, Luke Jackson, Justin-Lee Jones, Robin Kent, Jacob Maynard, Leanne Pinder, Tinovimbanashe Sibanda & Dale White.

Strictly Ballroom is the romantic story that was embraced around the world, and went on to put the Strictly into Come Dancing! Based on the multi award-winning movie, the first instalment from Baz Luhrmann's acclaimed Red Curtain Trilogy, the musical production is a kaleidoscope of colour and fun. When rogue championship ballroom dancer Scott defies all the rules of competition to follow his heart, he teams up with left-footed partner Fran to compete in the Pan Pacific Championship his own way. Their love blossoms as their routines flourish, and together they triumph in bringing down the sequin-clad regime of the Dance Federation.

Featuring the film's iconic music such as Love is in the Air, Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps and Time After Time, Strictly Ballroom The Musical will also include electrifying songs from a host of internationally acclaimed artists.

The production originated in Australia where it was created by Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin. Drew McOnie (whose dazzling choreography for In the Heights earned him the 2016 Olivier Award) will direct and choreograph the West End premiere, with a book by Baz Luhrmann and Craig Pearce.

Strictly Ballroom The Musical is produced by Global Creatures the team behind Walking With Dinosaurs - The Arena Spectacular, Muriel's Wedding The Musical and the Broadway-bound King Kong and Moulin Rouge! The Musical.

For all information about Strictly Ballroom THE MUSICAL, please see: www.strictlyballroomthemusical.com