Philo's Strictly Ballroom – The Musical at Erindale Theatre is a delight

Love is in the air at the Erindale Theatre. It is the love between Scott Hastings (Joel Hutchings) and Fran (Ylaria Rogers). It is the love between the audience and the phenomenal cast and creatives of Canberra Philharmonic Society's sparkling production of Baz Luhrmann's iconic Strictly Ballroom. From the spectacular hi-octane opening number, the audience is caught under its spell. This is feel-good musical theatre, thrilling in its dance routines, choreographed by Emma Nikolic and Karen Gillingham, vibrant in its costuming, coordinated by Anna Senior, and spectacular in Ian Croker's set design. Add to this Phil Goodwin's lighting design, and you have a show that strictly looks good, feels good and leaves a smile on the face and a song in the heart.

Strictly Ballroom is a dinky-di Aussie musical with a Broadway touch. Characters like authoritarian Dance Federation president, Barry Fife (Pat Gallagher), Scott's ambitious mother Shirley (Tracy Noble), his docile, down-trodden father, Doug (Ian Croker), and Kendle Dance Studio's bumptious owner, Les (Paul Sweeney), all fit the type. They are instantly recognisable and exert a familiar though not always likeable appeal. Director Chris Baldock's casting is impeccable. Not only are the Australian characters well cast, but Baldock is fortunate in casting the surprisingly young Kirrily Cornwell as Abuela, Fran's grandmother and flamenco dancer, Tomas Dietz as Rico, Fran's father. One of the many highlights of this scintillating production is the paso doble sequence to the sound of the Spanish guitar.

Central to the success of the show is the casting of Scott and Fran as the show's romantic leads. In Hutchings and Rogers, Baldock strikes gold. Not only can they dance and sing beautifully, but they bring a depth of performance to the roles that avoids the usual cliched love story. Rogers shows her talent as a natural comedienne as the wallflower who blossoms into a radiant, strong and confident woman. Hutchings brings a vulnerability to a character eager to rebel against convention but struggling with expectation. Together they light up the stage with their chemistry.

It is not possible to mention every notable performance in a show so skilfully produced and entertaining from effusive beginning to happy-ever-after ending. However, special mention should be made of the delightful and very talented performances of child performers Isabella Fraser and Jake Keen. Fraser's clever handling of a costume malfunction was the swift thinking action of a seasoned trouper.

Under the baton of musical director Rhys Madigan the orchestra played the musical numbers with verve, though at times tending to overshadow the voices, while being carried away with the rhythms of the tango or the samba. It was also refreshing to hear the Australian music and lyrics of such artists as Eddie Perfect and the Easybeats' Harry Vanda and George Young, as originally recorded by John Paul Young.

I have never seen the entire film of Strictly Ballroom, but Philo's production of the stage musical is one show in town I wouldn't want to miss.