SYDNEY, Feb. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Hundreds of couples have danced on the forecourt of Sydney Opera House today in a specially choreographed Strictly Sydney moment.  This event, under the direction of international celebrity, Baz Luhrmann, celebrates the forthcoming opening of Strictly Ballroom The Musical with previews from 25 March. Strictly Ballroom The Musical is exclusive to Sydney, secured by Destination NSW, the lead Government agency for the New South Wales (NSW) tourism and major events sectors.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140223/HK69360 )
(Photo: http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20140223/8521400959-b )
(Photo: http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20140223/8521400959-c )

Sydneysiders had been invited to register to participate in this event which was truly a Sydney community event.  Dancers of all abilities arrived on site early to register dressed in every conceivable style of ballroom dancing attire.  Emulating Scott Hastings from the film Strictly Ballroom all the men were given an iconic white Chesty Bonds singlet to wear and each participant received a memento specially designed by Catherin Martin.

Excitement reached fever pitch when the two stars of Strictly Ballroom The Musical, Thomas Lacey and Phoebe Panaretos, emerged in glittering costumes atop the sails of the Sydney Opera House.  A chopper circled high above Sydney Harbour and captured the entire event.

Baz Luhrmann said "Most people know Strictly Ballroom as a movie but it began, as a piece of theatre and now it is an all-singing, all-dancing, live, stage musical.  But it is more than that. As a show it reaches out not only to the audience but also to the community to become involved. That's what dancing does. It allows everybody to participate so it seemed like a fun and a fitting idea for us all to meet on the forecourt of the Opera House and create a scene together from Strictly Ballroom."

Strictly Ballroom the Musical opens exclusive to Sydney, on March 25 2014, at Sydney Lyric Theatre, The Star. Travel packages are available from Showbiz at showbiz.com.au/strictlyballroom.

About Destination NSW

Destination NSW is the lead Government agency for the New South Wales (NSW) tourism and major events sectors. Our role is to market Sydney and NSW as one of the world's premier tourism and major events destinations; to secure major sporting and cultural events; to work in partnership with Business Events Sydney to win major international conventions and incentive travel reward programs; to develop and deliver initiatives that will drive visitor growth throughout the State; to achieve the NSW Government's goal of doubling overnight visitor expenditure within the State by the year 2020.

For a full list of events in Sydney go to sydney.com.

For more information please contact: Hannah Le Coic, Senior Publicist, Destination NSW, hannah.lecoic@dnsw.com.au / + 61 2 9931 1416

SOURCE Destination NSW