Theatre News

Gemma Sutton to star in Strictly Ballroom: The Musical

The Baz Lurhmann musical will make its UK premiere at the West Yorkshire Playhouse this December

Gemma Sutton will star in Strictly Ballroom - The Musical
Gemma Sutton will star in Strictly Ballroom – The Musical
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage

Full casting has been announced for the UK premiere of Strictly Ballroom – The Musical at West Yorkshire Playhouse in December.

Gemma Sutton (Gypsy, The Go-Between) will star as Fran alongside Sam Lips (Pippin, Wicked), who will make his UK debut as Scott.

Directed and choreographed by Olivier Award winner Drew McOnie, the cast also includes Tamsin Carroll (Miss Saigon), Stephen Matthews (The Lion King), Julius D'Silva (Made in Dagenham), Richard Grieve (Priscilla – Queen of the Desert), Eve Polycarpou (In the Heights) and Charlotte Gooch (Dirty Dancing).

The musical tells the story of a championship ballroom dancer risking his career by performing unusual routines. Created by Baz Luhrmann and his wife Catherine Martin, it made its world premiere at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in April 2014.

Casting is completed by Lauren Stroud, Jade Albertsen, Liam Marcellino, Gary Watson, Michelle Bishop, Richard Dempsey, Zak Nemorin, Courtney-Mae Briggs, Javier Cid, Selina Hamilton, Luke Jackson, Rebecca Lisewiki, Lindsay McAllister, Freya Rowley, Javier Santo, Alexzandra Sarmiento and Dale White.

Strictly Ballroom – The Musical will run at the West Yorkshire Playhouse from 6 December until 21 January 2017, with previews from 30 November.