Soap star to join Strictly show – and will be performing in York

Strictly Ballroom the Musical is coming to Grand Opera House York – and it’s been announced that Coronation Street star Faye Brookes will be joining the cast.

Faye will be taking over Maisie Smith in the role of Fran from 27 March.

She will join Kevin Clifton, who stars as Scott Hastings, in the all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza based on the award-winning global film phenomenon of the same name.

Strictly Ballroom the Musical is at the Grand Opera House from Monday 24 to Saturday 29 April.

Faye Brookes said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the tour of Strictly Ballroom and can’t wait to work with Craig Revel Horwood, Kevin Clifton and the hugely talented cast. I’m so excited to be playing the role of Fran and making it my own. Bring it on!”

Faye is no stranger to musical theatre, having previously starred as Roxie Hart in Chicago, Princess Fiona in Shrek and Elle Woods in Legally Blonde.

She joined Coronation Street in the role of Kate Connor, from 2015-2019. In 2017 Faye won the National Television Award for Best Newcomer, while in 2021 she made it all the way to the final of ITV’s Dancing on Ice.

Strictly Ballroom the Musical was created by Baz Luhrmann and Craig Pearce – and features iconic songs such as Love is in the Air, Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps and Time After Time.

Strictly Ballroom the Musical tells the story of Scott Hastings (Kevin Clifton), a talented, arrogant and rebellious young ballroom dancer. When Scott’s radical dance moves see him fall out of favour with the Australian Federation, he finds himself dancing with Fran (Faye Brookes), a beginner with no moves at all.

Inspired by one another, this unlikely pair gather the courage to defy both convention and their families – and discover that, to be winners, the steps don’t need to be strictly ballroom…

The show is also directed and co-choreographed by Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood.

Tickets start from £13 and are available here.