FGS & BGS Strictly Ballroom Program

Welcome to the fabulous world of

Strictly Ballroom!

“Many adults in the audience will fondly remember the 1992 Baz Luhrmann film; an unlikely romance between ballroom star Scott Hastings and the daggy, dance beginner Fran, and how it has since become an iconic Australian story.

It is an honour to be invited to step into the role of Director this year. Having worked as a professional Arts practitioner for 30 years I am a firm believer in the life-changing power of the Arts, particularly when young people engage with the unique collaborative process required to bring a show to life, from the page to the stage.

My vision for this show came directly from the underlying themes of the story that really speak to me both personally and professionally: artistic expression, originality, innovation, integrity, courage, determination, and the rebellious nature of the creative mind and spirit.

Scott has the innate creativity of a true artist and one who is driven by a desire to dance his own steps. The old, stale and conservative Federation of Dance is terrified of change and Barry Fife will do whatever it takes to stop it. But thankfully Fran, our heroine, through her inherited family values of resilience, determination, courage and authenticity, teaches Scott a very important lesson: A life lived in fear is a life half lived.

I’m incredibly proud of the fearless way that these teenagers have joined in a shared vision that is much, much bigger than any one individual. They are brave and beautiful, and I hope that you relish in their creation. I trust you will agree that the heart and soul of Australia’s beloved Strictly Ballroom is alive and well in their hands.”

Carita Farrer Spencer Director

Left to Right: Melissa Langton, Naomi Fogliani, Catherine Bates, Olivia Fanning, Carita Farrer-Spencer, Sophie Bolton and Lillian Direen

Creative Team Director | Carita Farrer-Spencer Musical Director | Catherine Bates Vocal Director | Melissa Langton Choreographer | Lillian Direen Assistant Choreographers | Olivia Fanning and Sophie Bolton Ensemble Coach | Hayden Spencer Production Manager | Samantha Kosky Production Support | Naomi Fogliani Stage and Lighting Supply | David Strahan from Bayside Productions Lighting Design and Installation | David Strahan from Bayside Productions Lighting Operator | Sienna Howie Follow Spot Operators | Oliver Elliot and Ruby Pollio Costume Design and Coordination | Dee Skinner, Amazing Transformations Costume Hire Costume Support | Danielle Williamson Costume Crew Leader | Anastasia Galinas Costume Crew | Pippa Anscombe, Ronan Chad, Isabelle Furber, Chloe Jones and Harrison Kemp Sound Design and Operation | Gerard Hook and Stagepass Sound Crew | Eva Cuthbertson, Sarah Lawrence and Thomas Lipovetsky Sound Equipment Supply | Stagepass Stage Manager | Portia Giles Assistant Stage Managers | Matthew Barwood and Sasha Hill Stage Management Mentor | Stacey Brown Stage Crew | Charlotte Alsop, Mira Amarilli, Harriet Bean, Evie Burgess, Mia Burgess, Alistair Liddle, Heidi Mottram, Will Smith and Chris Tomaras Props Leader | Sasha Bollen Props Crew | Lucas Barwood, Ruby Landry, Anne Liu, Tex Novak and Annie Constance Roubos Props Support | Milena Ickeringill Makeup and Hair Leaders | Frances Kelly and Mietta Edwards Makeup and Hair Crew | Annabelle Hartenstine, Orla McCarthy, Meg Noske, Isabella Richardson and Maya Swinton Rehearsal Accompanist | Robyn Coles Photography and Videography | Dr Andrew Lee Ticketing | Sarah Saunders Graphic Design | Charlie Ickeringill Ushers | Woody Aldridge, Max Barbary, Max Benitez, Rachel Brown, Sophia Janoshalmi, Isaac Pels, Georgia Ross, Thomas Sloan, Kylan Thompson and Scarlett Walch

Baz Lurhmann Creator and Book Writer

Born in Sydney, Australia, Baz Luhrmann has captured the popular and critical imagination internationally with a diverse range of award-winning projects in film, opera, theatre, and music, making him one of the world’s most recognizable creative forces.

Recently, Luhrmann wrote, produced and directed on The Get Down, an original series for Netflix, which premiered in 2016.

Set in 1970s New York City, The Get Down is a mythic saga of how a battered city at the brink of bankruptcy gave birth to hip-hop, punk and disco - told through the lives of music of the South Bronx kids who changed the city and the world, forever.

His most recent film is the extraordinary, Oscar ® winning 3-D adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby (2013), starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Tobey Maguire and Joel Edgerton. Earlier works include the ambitious epic Australia (2008), starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, the Oscar®-winning Moulin Rouge! (2001) featuring Kidman and Ewan McGregor; his boldly luminous version of William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet (1996), starring DiCaprio and Claire Danes; and the celebrated Strictly Ballroom (1992), starring Paul Mercurio and Tara Morice.

The soundtrack albums for The Great Gatsby, Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge!, executive produced by Luhrmann, have sold more than 14 million copies worldwide. The Great Gatsby received two Academy Awards® for Art Direction and Costume Design, a BAFTA for production design and thirteen AACTA Awards, Moulin Rouge! won three Golden Globes® and received eight Academy Award® nominations, with Catherine Martin winning two for Art Direction and Costume Design. Australia won four AFI® Awards. It is the second highest-grossing Australian film of all time.

The phenomenally successful Strictly Ballroom was originally conceived by Luhrmann as a short play while still a student at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). It was while producing an extended version under the auspices of the Sydney Theatre Company in 1988 that he met Catherine Martin, one of the company’s designers. He later directed and co-wrote the film version which premiered at the 1992 Cannes Film Festival and was awarded the Prix de la Jeunesse. It would go on to win eight AFI® Awards. In 1997, Luhrmann married Catherine Martin, his longtime creative collaborator. They have two children, Lillian and William. The same year they founded Bazmark, an innovative multi-media company with the motto “A life lived in fear is a life half lived”.

Baz Luhrmann is one of Australia’s most imaginative and strikingly original opera directors. His signature production of Puccini’s La Boheme for Opera Australia won considerable acclaim in 1990 when it starred Cheryl Barker and David Hobson. His later production of La Boheme on Broadway in 2002 was lauded by critics for its sensuality and glorious production design. It was nominated for seven Tony Awards®, including Best Revival and Best Director for Luhrmann. It won the Tony Award® for Best Scenic Design. Previous opera productions include Lake Lost, which won a Victorian Green Room Award for Best Director in 1988, and Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It received a Victorian Green Room Award for Best Director, a Sydney Theatre Critics’ Circle award for Best Director and the Critic’s Prize at the Edinburgh Festival in 2003. Luhrmann came full circle when he directed the stage musical adaptation of Strictly Ballroom which opened in Sydney, Australia in April 2014.

Song List & Musical Credits

Song

Writer

When You’re Strictly Ballroom All Out War Tequila

Written by Eddie Perfect Written by Eddie Perfect Written by Chuck Rio

On The Edge

Two to Tango What Was it All For? Time After Time

Beautiful When You Dance Dance to Win Life After Dance Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps Beautiful Suprise

Scott’s Paso Doble Rico’s Paso Doble Magnifico

Love is a Leap of Faith

Happy Feet New Steps Love Is In The Air The Looks, The Charm Yesterday’s Hero You Can’t Have Everything Let’s Dance

Credits

Control Control Universal Music - Careers. Administered by Universal Music Publishing MGB Australia Pty Ltd © 1957 EMI Longitude Music.

Licensed by EMI Music Publishing Australia Pty Limited Written by David Foster, Bernie Song of Universal Inc., G3650 Music and Pure Herms, MoZella and Maureen Note Music. Administered by Universal Music Annie McDonald Publishing Pty Ltd. Used by kind permission of Southern Music Publ. Co (A'Asia) Pty Ltd. © 2016 Mo Zella Mo Music /EMI April Music Inc. Licenced by EMI Music Publishing Australia Pty Ltd. Written by Eddie Perfect Control Written by Eddie Perfect Control Written by Cyndi Lauper © 1983 Dub Notes and Rella Music Corp. By kind & Robert Hyman permission of Warner/Chappell Music Australia Pty Ltd. © Published by Native Tongue Music Publishing Pty Ltd obo Concord Copyrights Written by Eddie Perfect Control Written by Eddie Perfect Control Written by Eddie Perfect Control Written by Osvaldo Farres and Used by kind permission of Southern Written by MoZella, © 2016 Mo Zella Mo Music / EMI April Baz Luhrmann, Bernie Herms, Music Inc. Licensed by EMI Music David Foster, Linda Publishing Australia Pty Limited Thompson, Maureen Anne Southern Music Publ. Co (A-Asia) Ptd McDonald Limited c/o Peermusic Pty Ltd ©Brandon Brody Music Administered by Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp By kind permission of Warner/Chappell Music Written by Elliott Wheeler Control Written by Elliott Wheeler Control Written by David Foster, Song of Universal Inc., G3650 Music and Pure Bernie Herms and Note Music. Adminstered by: Maureen Anne McDonald Universal Music Publishing Pty Ltd. Used by kind permission of Southern Music Publ. Co. (A’Asia) Pty Ltd. Magnifico - MoZella / Bernie Herms / David Foster) © 2016 Mo Zella Mo Music / EMI April Written by Sia Furler, Baz Administered by Universal Music Publishing Pty Luhrmann, Eddie Perfect, Isaac Ltd © 2017 EMI Music Publishing Ltd. Hassen, Theron Feemster Licenced by EMI Music Publishing Australia Pty Limited Control Composed by Jack Yellen and © 1930 WB Music Corp. By kind permission of Milton Ager Warner/Chappell Music Australia Pty Ltd Written by Eddie Perfect Control Written by Vanda & Young BMG AM Pty Ltd Written by Elliott Wheeler, Baz Control Luhrmann, Craig Pearce Written Vanda & Young BMG AM Pty Ltd Written by Eddie Perfect Control Written by Eddie Perfect Control

Synopsis 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 originated as a stage play that Baz Luhrmann created as a student at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney in 1984.

Strictly Ballroom The Musical had it is Global Premier on 12 April, 2014 at the Sydney Lyric Theatre followed by seasons at Her Majesty’s Theatre Melbourne and the Lyric Theatre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre in 2015. The first UK staging premiered at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds in November 2016 directed and choreographed by Olivier Award winner, Drew McOnie.

The UK production opened in Toronto, Canada in April 2017 as part of their Mirvish Theatre Season.

Featuring songs from 1992 Hit film including “Love is in the Air”, “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps” and “Time After Time”, as well as new songs from internationally acclaimed artists and composers such as Sia, David Foster and Eddie Perfect.

ACT 1 Scene 1: 1985 Waratah, Inter-Regional Ballroom Dance Championships at the Woongabbie Town Hall Scene 2: Kendall’s Dance Studio Scene 3: Hastings’ Kitchen Scene 4: The Roof Scene 5: The Milk Bar Scene 6 to 8: The State Championships at the Doonville Dingos Rugby League Club Scene 9 to 10: The Milk Bar ACT 2 Scene 1: Braxton Hills Bowling Club Scene 2: Hastings’ Kitchen Scene 3: The Milk Bar Scene 4: Kendall’s Studio Scene 5: Federation Headquarters Trophy Room Scene 6: The Milk Bar Scene 7: Kendall’s Studio Scene 8: Flashback Scene 9: Kendall’s Studio Scene 10: Pan Pacific Grand Prix

Cast Leads

Benjamin Fox as Scott Hastings

Samantha Warner as Fran

Cast Leads

Aviva Quick

Charlie Sabin

Ethan Rowe

James Hepples

Henry Salisbury Grace Harris

Oscar Sloan

Charlotte Barker

Hannah Lee

Max Thomas

Felix Wolfe

as Shirley Hastings

as Rico

as Liz Holt

as Doug Hastings

as Abuela

Ainsley Joy

as Vanessa Cronin

as Les Kendall

as J.J. Silvers

as Ken Railings

as Barry Fife

as Tina Sparkle

as Wayne Burns

Cast Leads

Max Hacking as Clarry Wrench

Harry Penwright Kira Mongey as Merv

Ava Coleman as Natalie

as Pam Short

Josh McCahon as Nathan Starkey

` ` Cate Froelicher Marie-Helene as Luke Airoldi as Kylie

Specialist Dancers

Fletcher Brougham

Amy Fitzgerald Pia Gorander

Isabelle Joffe

Spencer Kirkham

Yuka Nozu

Angelica Pafumi

Eva Pantelopoulos

Finn Powell

Bridget Roe

Charlotte Roe

Olivia Smith

Miller Soriano

Reuben Van der Merwe

Ensemble

Lucie Braddon Sophie Chamberlin

Cooper Chilcott

Lisa Clark

Cyd Deng

Corey Dow

Eloise Escott

Anastasia Gantzos

Martha Ickeringill

Madeleine Jansz

Yuan Yuan Li

Ava Livissianos

Sarah Longmire

Isabella Lopreiato

Andrew McGregor

Caitlin Martin

Ensemble

Sophie Paltoglou

James Pennington

Myles Powell

Georgie Quah

Elio Ross

Jemma Seligmann

Savannah Smith

Eadie Spencer

Will Stretch

Alex Sutherland

Jared Thomas

Holly Tomkins

Summer Tsiampas Donald

Taylor Turner

Sarah Warner

Skye Weddell

Band

Miss Catherine Bates | Conductor Nick Roney | Reed 1 (flute/piccolo/clarinet) Giselle Eng | Reed 1 (alto saxophone) Astrid Iitake-Wynne | Reed 2 (tenor saxophone/baritone saxophone/clarinet/bass clarinet) Alexandra Pels | Trumpet Layla Heinze | Violin Miss Ainsley Turner | Keys 1 Kai Yin Goh | Keys 2 Mr Darryl Barron | Guitar Mr Declan Hayes | Bass Elliot Tay | Drum Kit Sid Daniels | Percussion

Production Team

Matthew Barwood Sasha Hill

Portia Giles

Assistant Stage Manager

Stage Manager

Assistant Stage Manager

Crew

Charlotte Alsop

Mia Amarilli

Harriet Bean

Mia Burgess

Alistair Little

Heidi Mottram

Will Smith *Not Pictured: Evie Burgess

Chris Tomaras

Production Team Lighting

Sienna Howie Operator

Oliver Elliott Follow Spot

Ruby Pollio Follow Spot

Sound

Sarah Lawrence

Thomas Lipovetsky

*Not Pictured: Eva Cuthbertson

Costume

Anastasia Noulikas Galinas

Chloe Jones

Leader

*Not Pictured: Pippa Anscombe, Ronan Chad and Isabelle Furber

Harrison Kemp

Production Team Make Up & Hair

Frances Kelly & Mietta Edwards

Make Up & Hair Leaders

Annabelle Hartenstine

*Not Pictured: Orla McCarthy, Meg Noske, Isabella Richardson and Maya Swinton

Props

Sasha Bollen

Lucas Barwood

Ruby Landry

Anne Liu

Tex Novak

Annie Constance Roubos

Leader

Band

Giselle Eng Reed 1

Astrid Alexandra Pels Layla Heinze Violin Iitake-Wynne Trumpet Reed 2

Kai Yin Goh Keys 2

Elliot Tay Drum Kit

Sid Daniels Percussion

Acknowledgements

Cast, Crew and the Creative Team acknowledge the generous support and expertise of the following people: Thomas Lacey | May Downs Dance (played Scott Hastings in original Australian touring production) Natalie Gamsu (played Abuela in the original Australian touring production)

Firbank Grammar School Principal | Ms Jenny Williams Deputy Principal and Head of Senior School | Mrs Leandra Turner Director of Admissions | Donna Galloway Marketing and Communications Manager | Wendy Dumas and the Marketing Team Event Management | Maddison Grange Financial Controller | Le Lu and the Finance Team Project Manager | Samantha Beveridge Buildings & Facilities Manager | Graeme Cooper and the Maintenance Team Piano Teacher and audition accompanist | Mr Isaac Mouskovias Co-Director of Music (Choral and Curriculum) | Philippa Jones Co-Director of Music (Instrumental) | Simon Marsden

Brighton Grammar School Headmaster | Mr Ross Featherston Director of Co-Curriculum | Mr Scott Whyte Head of Drama and Productions | Mr Michael Kent Teachers | Ms Sarah Gunn, Ms Kristie Vidotto and Ms Susie Heggie Vocal Coach | Ms Christine Heald Head of Music and Director of Choral | Mr Jared Furtado FOPA | Friends of Performing Arts President | Danielle Williamson Secretary | Milena Ickeringill FGS and BGS Parents of Cast and Crew | thank you for your support and encouragement

Our production of Strictly Ballroom is dedicated to those we love but are no longer with us.

Coming Events Firbank Grammar School Dance Night | Monday 24 July Drama Night | Thursday 27 July

Brighton Grammar School Years 7 - 9 Production of The Lion King | Thursday 10 to Saturday 12 August