Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom The Musical

The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts’ annual Regal Theatre season is perhaps WAAPA’s biggest publicity opportunity of the year, showcasing the talents of not only the musical theatre students, but music students, and a plethora of students from all aspects of Production and Design. Always popular, Strictly Ballroom appears to be the most quickly booked yet, and given the polish and pizazz of this production, the capacity crowds will not be disappointed.

A fabulous looking production, the set, designed by WAAPA graduate James Browne, is beautifully constructed and appears to dance as it transforms from dance studio, to roof tops, competition venues and other locales. Moved by cast and crew, the set change ‘choreography’ is beautifully managed and a joy to watch. Trent Suidgeest’s (another WAAPA Graduate) boldly beautiful lighting design is also a joy.

Student Costume Designer Amalia Lambert’s costumes are a triumph, with fabulous dance wear and quirky street-wear providing continual surprises.

The cast are led by Harrison Targett as ballroom dancer Scott Hastings, who anchors the show well, with amazing dance skills, solid singing and personality in bucketloads. He works well with Rose Shannon-Duhigg as Fran, who is a stunning leading lady, with a great voice, and who convincingly transforms in front of our eyes from awkward wall-flower to a confident dance champion.

Impressive performances abound - Ciara Taylor shone as Grandmother - Abuela, with Benjamin Barker strong in both performance and step as Fran’s father Rico. Tahra Cannon delighted as Shirley Hastings, with Jackson Peele nicely capturing the complexities of hen-pecked husband Doug. Madeleine Jolly Fuentes and Luke Wilson brought exuberance to little sister Kylie and her friend.

There are lots of big personalities in Strictly Ballroom’s dance world, and WAAPA’s cast brought big performances to match. Alexander Landsberry lent smarmy charm to host JJ Silvers, Jed McKinney was great fun as dance teacher Les Kendall, Conor Neylon was an audience favourite as Ken Railings, with Annabelle Rosewarne his likeable foil, Grace Collins was glamorously on edge as Tina Sparkle, Axel Duffy and Caitlin New are lovely as dance partners Wayne and Vanessa, while Ethan Jones is likably unlikeable as larger-than-life villain Barry Fife.

Strong support from Sara Reed, Jack Shatford and Victoria Graves in smaller roles, as well as Second Year student ensemblists (and lone first year student ball room dancer Jesse Simpson).

Highlights include Act One closer “Magnifico”, the wonderful trio of “Dance to Win” and the 1965 Flashback Sequence, as well as all of the ballroom sequences, but this is a show with constant surprises and continual joy.

Music Director David King and associate MD Craig Dalton lead a top notch 16 piece student orchestra, while sound, designed by student Heinrich Krause, was superb.

At a rough count, 125 WAAPA students worked on this production - a wonderful showcase of the depth and breadth of WAAPA’s talents. This feel-good show is a joy to watch.

Kimberley Shaw

Photographer: Jon Green