As I reported back in June 2015, there was a search for Queensland youth who would take on the secondary character roles of Kylie Hastings and Luke in the Brisbane production of Strictly Ballroom the Musical at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC). After a little more than a month since the auditions began and just six weeks to go until performances begin in September 2015, the talent have been confirmed.
Director Baz Luhrmann has announced that the search to find children to play the roles of both Kylie Hastings (Scott Hastings’ little sister) and Luke (Kylie Hastings’ dance partner) has resulted in four pairs of talented Queensland children being selected. These pairs will alternate roles at various performances throughout the QPAC season.
To play Kylie Hastings Baz Luhrmann has chosen Hermione Denning aged 9 from Sailsbury, Alice Lowther aged 10 from Cashmere, Zoe Davidson-Wall aged 11 from Newmarket and Chloe Guy aged 9 from West End. The role of Luke will be played by Bailey Kelleher aged 11 from Tingalpa, James Portas from Carindale and Damon Poletto from North Lakes both aged 10 and Sebastian Witt aged 9 from Woody Point.
These eight youth will not be the only new cast members performing in the Queensland run of Strictly Ballroom the Musical. In addition to some new ensemble cast members, Brisbane born Darren Gilshenan will take over the role of Doug Hastings (Scott Hastings’ Father) from Drew Forsythe.
While I look forward to doing a completely new and ‘definitive’ write-up for Strictly Ballroom the Musical in September, you can check out my review from the show’s Melbourne leg HERE. Strictly Ballroom the Musical is set to begin at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) Lyric Theatre starting September 9 2015 for a limited season.
