Strictly Ballroom Lead Announced

Global Creatures and Director Baz Luhrmann

proudly announce that they have found the ideal actor to play the lead role of “Scott Hastings” in

Strictly Ballroom the Musical –

THOMAS LACEY

After months of auditions, Director Baz Luhrmann today announced that the exhaustive search for the ideal ‘triple threat’ to play the pivotal lead role of Scott Hastings in STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL is over.

The ‘role of a lifetime’ has been given to 20-year-old Thomas Lacey, best known as Ben Tickle in the ABC TV hit dance show Dance Academy.

Baz Luhrmann said “After an exhaustive search, looking for a young Australian who could not only convey emotion through dance in the role of Scott Hastings, and act the role of Scott Hastings, but also sing the role of Scott Hastings, the team and I are thrilled to have cast Thomas Lacey.  Thomas’ trajectory is not dissimilar to that of Scott, and I can only imagine how difficult it has been for him, given that he has been cast for some time, to keep it a secret so well.”

Thomas started dancing at the age of two at the May Downs School of Dance, where he still trains in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary dance and acrobatics.  Thomas is a committed performer who started professional work at the age of 7 in the stage version of The Magic Faraway Tree.  Other stage credits include Singing in the Rain, Oliver, The Wizard of Oz and productions of Music Man, Bye Bye Birdie and Oklahoma!

STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL is the inspiring story of a championship ballroom dancer who defies all the rules to follow his heart.  This uplifting and courageous tale will tango, sashay and bogo pogo its way onto the Sydney Lyric stage from March 2014.

This brand new theatrical production will be brought to the stage by the original creative team behind the classic 1992 film, including director and co-writer Baz Luhrmann, set and costume designer Catherine Martin, choreographer John “Cha Cha” O’Connell and co-writer Craig Pearce.

An announcement will be made soon about the remainder of the cast.

www.strictlyballroomthemusical.com

Facebook.com/strictlyballroomthemusical    twitter@strictlystage

Venue: Sydney Lyric, The Star
Dates: Previews from Tuesday 25 March, 2014
Opening Night Saturday 12 April
Performance Times: Tuesday at 7pm
Wednesday at 1pm & 8pm
Thursday at 8pm
Friday at 8pm
Saturday at 2pm & 8pm
Sunday at 3pm
Prices: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday Evenings, tickets $60 – $135
Wednesday Matinee, tickets $55 – $125
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, tickets $70 – $145
Bookings: Ticketmaster.com.au or 1300 795 267
Groups 20+ and School Groups 20+ call 02 8240 2290
Premium Tickets, VIP and Hotel Packages –
call 1300 4 SHOWS or showbiz.com.au/strictlyballroom