Berkshire

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/6-1.jpg" alt="STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL THE HEXAGON THEATRE READING BERKSHIRE" class="wp-image-49613" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/6-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/6-1-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/6-1-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/6-1-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/6-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/6-1-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/6-1-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/6-1-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



It&#8217;s the inaugural week of misery, that kicks off with Blue Monday and continues under a blanket of impending doom. But if you&#8217;re looking for a dopamine hit that injects camp joy, feathers, sequins and a bucket load of fake tan, then sashay down to The Hexagon Theatre, where <a href="https://whatsonreading.com/venues/hexagon/whats-on/baz-luhrmanns-strictly-ballroom" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Baz Luhrmann&#8217;s Strictly Ballroom The Musical</a> is playing until Sat 21 Jan.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/2-5.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-49609" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/2-5.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/2-5-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/2-5-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/2-5-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/2-5-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/2-5-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/2-5-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/2-5-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



It was certainly a welcome break for me – coming into from a nippy -5 bundled up in my duvet coat and beanie, I was immediately transported to the 1980s ballrooms of Australia thanks to the clever set – a curved dance floor that falls from the heavens, swathed in feathers, globe lights and perfectly retro costumes (a kaleidoscope of feathers and barely-here sequin dance outfits, short shorts and legwarmers).



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/3-3.jpg" alt="STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL THE HEXAGON THEATRE READING BERKSHIRE" class="wp-image-49610" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/3-3.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/3-3-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/3-3-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/3-3-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/3-3-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/3-3-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/3-3-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/3-3-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



If you’re not familiar with the Strictly Ballroom – go and watch Baz Lurhmann&#8217;s a 1992 hit film. It was a rom com that launched the Hollywood director&#8217;s career, starring Paul Mercurio as Scott Hastings and Tara Morice as frumpy Fran. It tells the tale of Scott, a young, maverick ballroom dancer who risks his career by performing a non regulation moves with a new dance partner with no experience. It&#8217;s got it all: the feel-good factor, comedy and a soundtrack so familiar you&#8217;ll be toe-tapping and singing throughout.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/8-1.jpg" alt="Maisie smith STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL THE HEXAGON THEATRE READING BERKSHIRE" class="wp-image-49615" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/8-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/8-1-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/8-1-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/8-1-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/8-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/8-1-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/8-1-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/8-1-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



If you are familiar with the film, you’ll know that there&#8217;s some epic dance routines. Expect the same in the musical but with sining. It is clear from the start Director and co-choreographer Craig Revel Horwood&#8217;s DNA is all over this production– precise, pernickety, a little camp, a little bit saucy. Revel Horwood and co-choreographer Jason Gilkison are a match made in ballroom heaven. The way they have stitched together traditional musical theatre and ballroom is exceptional. The dance numbers are phenomenal, and the singing was actually very very good. The entire cast did a fantastic job, with lead Maisie Smith (Eastenders, Strictly Come Dancing) absolutely blowing it out of the water as Fran. She is a triple threat with great comedic acting, a beautiful voice and dance moves that would make Craig Revel Horwood weep. He directed and co-choreographed this musical so it is entirely possible he did.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/9-1.jpg" alt="STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL THE HEXAGON THEATRE READING BERKSHIRE" class="wp-image-49616" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/9-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/9-1-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/9-1-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/9-1-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/9-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/9-1-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/9-1-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/9-1-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



The elephant in the room is the MIA Kevin Clifton. He is on paternity leave so West End pro Adam Davidson stepped into his dance shoes. He weirdly he could be Kevin From Grimsby&#8217;s doppelganger. The man&#8217;s got moves and is a pretty good singer – although left me wondering whether Kevin&#8217;s been hiding a pitch perfect singing voice all this time. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/1-5.jpg" alt="STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL THE HEXAGON THEATRE READING BERKSHIRE" class="wp-image-49608" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/1-5.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/1-5-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/1-5-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/1-5-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/1-5-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/1-5-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/1-5-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/1-5-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



The ensemble embrace the craziness of this production, with excellent performances from Oliver Brooks, who almost depicts a Craig Revel Horwood character, and Kieran Cooper and Liz Alexander have the audience howling with their comic timing. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/4-1.jpg" alt="José Agudo Strictly Ballroom the Musical The Hexagon Theatre Reading Berkshire" class="wp-image-49611" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/4-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/4-1-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/4-1-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/4-1-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/4-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/4-1-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/4-1-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/4-1-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



A very special mention to the heel-stomping hotties that is Jose Agudo. The audience was silenced by his Paso Doblé. Coming a the end of a long act one, Agudo storms the stage and grabs your attention at just the right moment. It is a shame that the nature of his role means he didn&#8217;t have more time to shine. It&#8217;s safe to say you&#8217;ll need an ice cold drink to cool you down after his moment in the spotlight.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/Strictly-Ballroom-review.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-49617" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/Strictly-Ballroom-review.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/Strictly-Ballroom-review-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/Strictly-Ballroom-review-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/Strictly-Ballroom-review-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/Strictly-Ballroom-review-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/Strictly-Ballroom-review-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/Strictly-Ballroom-review-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/Strictly-Ballroom-review-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Basically this show is the antidote to the January Blues. It’s basically impossible to leave without a smile (and probably Love Is In The Air stuck on repeat in your head). Catch it this week!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



Good for: Mothers and daughters and groups of girlfriends will get the most out of the storyline, and Strictly fans are a natural fit, but the audience was a real mix on the opening night. Take anyone who needs a little escapism.



Not for:&nbsp;Cynics. This is a show that works best when you embrace the cheesy, high-camp vibes, so if you’re after Pinter, best sit this one out.



Watch Strictly Ballroom The Musical at The Hexagon Theatre in Reading, 16-21 Jan 2023. Tickets start at £27.50 – <a href="https://whatsonreading.com/venues/hexagon/whats-on/baz-luhrmanns-strictly-ballroom">book here</a>. You;ll find all the UK tour dates, <a href="https://strictlyballroomtour.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.

Review: Strictly Ballroom The Musical at The Hexagon Reading

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