Ballroom gets a makeover

International entertainment group Global Creatures, along with Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin’s multi-media empire Bazmark have announced a partnership to produce a stage musical adaptation of Australian film, Strictly Ballroom.

Luhrmann will start a creative workshop of the book, text, and music in Sydney in December, with the full production schedule and location of the premiere to be announced at a later date.

The film, co-written and directed by Luhrmann, was based on a stage play the director originally conceived, co-wrote and directed as a student at Sydney’s National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). It went on to be a hit at the 1992 Cannes Film Festival — winning the Prix de le Jeunesse — and earning more than $80 million at the box office around the world.

“After years of talk about bringing Strictly Ballroom to the musical stage, I’m energised by the partnership we have made with Global Creatures, an Australian company that has made a giant impression on the world’s stages over the last three years,” Luhrmann said.

“Strictly Ballroom has always been very personal to me, the genesis drawn from my childhood experience in the world of ballroom dancing.

“The creative and life ideals of the story, that being that a life lived in fear is a life half lived; and creativity triumphing over creative oppression, the belief there’s always more than just one way to cha-cha-cha, are ideals I live and create by to this day.”

Global Creatures producer and CEO Carmen Pavlovic said the company was excited to have Luhrmann on board.
“We are delighted that Baz will direct this production. It brings the journey of his tour de force full circle and leaves it in its rightful place — safe in his hands,” she said.

“Baz is the best person to ensure the integrity and heart of his story will be preserved in its transfer from film back to the stage.”

Catherine Martin will also return to design Strictly Ballroom for the stage.

Baz Luhrmann … ‘there’s always more than just one way to cha-cha-cha’.