Picture: Dave Hogan
Departing Strictly Come Dancing pro dancer Kevin Clifton will reunite with everyone’s favourite Mr Nasty, Craig Revel Horwood, when he joins the Revel Horwood- directed touring production of Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom The Musical.
Just days after the former Strictly champion quit the hit TV show to concentrate on his musical theatre career, Clifton has confirmed he will take on the role of rule-breaker Scott Hastings in the 2020/2021 UK and Ireland tour of the hit romantic comedy set within the sequin-studded world of competitive ballroom dancing.
Commenting on his new role, Clifton said: “I’m beyond excited to be finally fulfilling a lifelong ambition to play Scott Hastings in Strictly Ballroom The Musical. When I was 10 years old I first watched the movie that would become my favourite film of all time.
“This is my dream role. Plus I get to work with Craig Revel Horwood again! really can’t wait to don the golden jacket and waltz all over the UK from September this year in what’s set to be an incredible show!”
A favourite with fans of the BBC celebrity dance show, international Ballroom and Latin champion Clifton joined the Strictly professional line-up in 2013 and is the only pro dancer to have reached four consecutive finals. He finally claimed the Glitterball in 2018 with his partner Stacey Dooley.
Clifton made his musical theatre debut in Dirty Dancing at the Aldwych in 2010 and returned to the genre in January this year to play Robbie Hart in The Wedding Singer for a limited London season at the newly opened Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre.
Revel Horwood, the hard-to-please King of the Saturday night put-down will go back to his musical theatre roots to direct and choreograph the production which is due to launch at the Nottingham Theatre Royal on 26 September 2020. The tour will then visit Wolverhampton, Hull, Milton Keynes, Sunderland, Bristol, Bromley, Edinburgh, York, Salford, Guildford, Northampton, Southend, Llandudno, Aylesbury, Darlington, Wimbledon, Bournemouth, Derry, Cardiff, Glasgow, Liverpool, Canterbury, Birmingham, Plymouth, Blackpool, Bradford, Southampton, Ipswich and Reading.
Commenting on his move from the television ballroom to the theatre ballroom, Revel Horwood said: “I am absolutely delighted to be directing the 2020/21 UK tour of Strictly Ballroom The Musical – it’s going to be fab-u-lous! The theatre is where I come alive and it is there that I feel in my most creative element.
“Having directed the UK arena tour of Strictly Come Dancing for the past few years, I simply cannot wait to put my stamp on this iconic and much-loved musical. Expect some sexy moves, sizzling costumes and a simply sensational evening!”
As well as being a popular fixture on Saturday night TV, Revel Horwood’s vast musical theatre credentials include playing Miss Hannigan in multiple productions of Annie and directing and choreographing productions of a range of major shows including Sister Act and Chess.
Angela Thomas
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