E BROOKES TO JOIN KEVIN CLIFTON IN THE CAST OF BAZ LUHRMANN'S STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL 2023 UK TOUR

Dancing on Ice finalist and Coronation Street star, Faye Brookes, joins the cast of Baz Luhrmann's Strictly Ballroom The Musical, starring in the lead female role of Fran.* She will join Kevin Clifton, who stars as Scott Hastings, in the all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza as it makes its way across the UK & Ireland as part of its huge 10-month tour which comes to The Lowry, Salford from Monday 26th June to Saturday 1st July.

The musical, based on the award-winning global film phenomenon of the same name, inspired the world to dance and spawned the smash-hit TV series Strictly Come Dancing. Directed by Craig Revel Horwood, who co-choreographs with Strictly's creative director Jason Gilkison, the tour kicked off in Portsmouth on 26 September and culminates in Bristol on 15 July.

Faye, who takes over the role of Fran from Maisie Smith who leaves the show on 25 March, is no stranger to musical theatre, having previously starred as Roxie Hart in Chicago, Princess Fiona in Shrek and Elle Woods in Legally Blonde.  She became a household name when she joined Coronation Street in the role of Kate Connor, from 2015-2019, and was involved in some of the biggest storylines the show has seen. In 2017 Faye won the National Television Award for Best Newcomer, while in 2021 she made it all the way to the final of ITV's Dancing on Ice.

Faye Brookes said: 

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"I'm thrilled to be joining the tour of Strictly Ballroom and can't wait to work with Craig Revel Horwood, Kevin Clifton and the hugely talented cast. I'm so excited to be playing the role of Fran and making it my own. Bring it on!"

Kevin Clifton said: 

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"It's very exciting news that Faye is joining the cast of Strictly Ballroom and I'm looking forward to singing and dancing my way across the UK & Ireland with her!"

Craig Revel Horwood said: 

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"I am delighted to be directing the sensational Faye Brookes as she joins Kevin Clifton and the super talented cast of Strictly Ballroom The Musical. I know that she'll be nothing short of FAB-U-LOUS!"

Strictly Ballroom The Musical tells the beguiling story of Scott Hastings, a talented, arrogant and rebellious young ballroom dancer – played by former Strictly Come Dancing professional and 2018 champion, Kevin Clifton. When Scott's radical dance moves see him fall out of favour with the Australian Federation, he finds himself dancing with Fran (Faye Brookes), a beginner with no moves at all. Inspired by one another, this unlikely pair gather the courage to defy both convention and their families – and discover that, to be winners, the steps don't need to be strictly ballroom.

Featuring a show-stopping book by Baz Luhrmann & Craig Pearce, together with a sublime cast of over 20 world class performers, Strictly Ballroom brings to life iconic songs, including Love is in the Air, Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps and Time After Time with dynamic and joyous verve. This tour will also feature some amazing new songs by internationally acclaimed artists including Sia, David Foster and Eddie Perfect. The show's scintillating singing, dazzling dancing and eye-popping costumes combine to bring audiences a story of heart, comedy and drama, and promises to be an unforgettable night under the glitterball.

This uplifting and courageous musical originated as a stage play that Baz Luhrmann devised with a group of classmates at Sydney's National Institute of Dramatic Art in 1984. Eight years later he made his screen directorial debut with 'Strictly Ballroom', the first instalment in Luhrmann's acclaimed Red Curtain Trilogy. The vibrant film enjoyed staggering success, winning three awards at the 1993 BAFTA awards and a 1994 Golden Globe nomination for Best Picture, going on to become one of the most successful Australian films of all time, earning more than $80 million at the box office. In April 2014 Strictly Ballroom The Musical had its world premiere at the Sydney Lyric Theatre.

Baz Luhrmann's Strictly Ballroom the Musical is a fabulous, feel-good evening full of sequins, singing and salsa. This unmissable kaleidoscope of glitz and glamour is a tonic for the soul and will send your heart soaring and toes tapping long after you leave the theatre!

For more information and tickets visit https://thelowry.com or call 0161 876 2000.