By JENA MARINO
GEELONG’S Sophia Katos returns to her home state as the all-time classic Australian film and stage show, Strictly Ballroom, opens in Melbourne.
Katos starred in the premiere season in Sydney playing the role of Liz Holt and featured on the cover of the autumn edition of Geelong Coast Magazine.
Directed and co-written by Baz Luhrmann, the production includes a cast of 43 actors, singers and dancers.
Katos told GC Magazine she was itching to commence rehearsals and to explore her character.
“I can’t wait to hear all the songs and read the full script,” Katos said.
Strictly Ballroom tells an inspirational story of a championship ballroom dancer who breaks all rules to follow his heart.
It has prompted audiences to dance in aisles to the “kaleidoscopic colour and fun”.
Katos dedicated her performance to her parents for buying her Strictly Ballroom as a child and for letting her watch it until the video wore out.
The production team includes original members from the 1992 motion picture including Academy Award winner Catherine Martin, who leads costume and set design, choreographer John “Cha Cha” O’Connell and co-writer Craig Pearce.
The musical features songs from the film such as Love Is In The Air and Time After Time but also features new tracks written by artists such as Australia’s Sia and Eddie Perfect.
The production kicked off at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre last April and has received high praise.
From a stage play to a motion picture and back again, the show will premiere at Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre on January 17.
Tickets are available at ticketek.com.au. Visit strictlyballroomthemusical.com.au for more information.
