After months of auditions, Director Baz Luhrmann has announced that the search for the ideal ‘triple threat’ to play the pivotal lead role of Scott Hastings in the upcoming production of Strictly Ballroom the Musical is over.
Best known for his portrayal of Ben Tickle in the ABC TV dance show Dance Academy, the ‘role of a lifetime’ has been given to 20-year-old Thomas Lacey.
“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.” said Baz Luhrmann.
“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, and this brand new theatrical production will be brought to the stage by the original creative team behind the 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.
Strictly Ballroom the Musical will begin its run at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre from 25 March 2014. An announcement about the remainder of the cast will be made soon.
For more information, visit: www.strictlyballroomthemusical.com for details.
Image: Thomas Lacey by Baz Luhrmann