Strictly Ballroom is a show-stopping celebration of music, dance and romance that will light up theatres across the country on its thrilling new tour.

The magnificent musical will be waltzing its way into Kent, with six nights in Canterbury.

The show will be at the Marlowe Theatre from Monday, March 13 to Saturday, March 18. You can book tickets online here or call 01227 787787.

Maisie Smith, who is currently starring as Fran in the musical, is no stranger to the county.

“My friend went to uni in Kent, so I’ve been out a lot in Kent," says the actress, who is best known for her role as Tiffany Butcher in EastEnders. "I’ve been to a lot of pubs in Kent!”

Maisie will be entertaining Canterbury audiences this March alongside her co-star and former Strictly Children in Need partner Kevin Clifton.

“It’s so weird that he started my dancing career, and now he’s starting my debut musical career!” says Maisie, who was partnered with the former Strictly pro for the charity special in 2019. “It feels so good, having someone I know and that knows me.

“He’s great at working with people that aren’t trained, particularly in Latin and ballroom, so he’s a really great partner to have for my debut musical about ballroom dancing!”

The pair star as Scott Hastings, a rebellious young dancer, and ballroom rookie Fran, who are forced to partner up and defy tradition in front of the old-fashioned judges.

The show features hit songs such as Love Is In the Air and Time After Time, as well as modern numbers by the likes of Sia and Eddie Perfect.

Maisie, who is taking on her first musical theatre role in the show, competed in the 18th series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2020 and made it all the way to the final - but did her time on the dancefloor prepare her for the role of Fran?

“It definitely helped, but the dances I do in the show I never actually did on Strictly!” says Maisie. “I’m doing the rumba and the paso and they’re the two dances I never got to do. I was like, why can’t you give me a samba?!”

This new production of Strictly Ballroom is based on the 1992 film by Baz Luhrmann, the director behind the likes of Moulin Rouge and Romeo and Juliet.

“It’s amazing material to work with,” says the 21-year-old. "Craig [Revel Horwood]’s direction and Jason [Gilkison]’s choreography have been amazing, and we’ve got a talented team of performers, so we’ve got all the perfect ingredients for a great show.”

It might be her first time starring in a musical, but Maisie feels confident that, together with the rest of the cast and creative team, audiences are going to fall in love with Strictly Ballroom in the same way she has.

“It’s incredible singing, amazing dancing, it’s absolutely hilarious, there’s Strictly glamour and costumes all based in the ‘80s. The atmosphere on stage is just incredible. It feels so good and I’m just so excited to share what we’ve done.”