This summer, Derby Theatre’s big main house production will be Kiss Me Quickstep, a glorious, glitterball-filled show full of stunning ballroom dancing, sequins and secrets. Written by acclaimed playwright Amanda Whittington, Kiss Me Quickstep will run in the main house from Friday 6 – Saturday 21 June 2025.
Kiss Me Quickstep will provide audiences with lots of glitz, glamour and a fascinating insight into the world of fierce competition! Amanda’s much-loved play whirls you into the high-stakes world of competitive ballroom dancing. As rivalries flare, dreams are tested and sequins fly, three dance couples battle for the top spot – both on and off the dance floor.
A dazzling mix of drama, humour and heartbreak, this feel-good play is strictly sensational!
We are delighted to have assembled a stellar cast and creative team for Kiss Me Quickstep. The cast includes: Jason Furnival as Mick (The Doris Effect and Alfie and the War for the RSC 37 Plays Project, Richard III for Hull Truck/Northern Broadsides; The Kitchen Sink for New Vic Theatre; Macbeth for Northern Broadsides; Downton Abbey for ITV; Shameless for C4; Doctors for BBC and Grimsby for Big Talk Films); Ashley Gilmour as Justin (Austenland for Savoy, West End; My Fair Lady for Leicester Curve; Walliams and Friends for BBC; Les Misérables for Sondheim, West End; Miss Saigon UK and International Tour; Hairspray UK Tour; Aladdin for Pavilion) as Justin, Clair Gleave as Nancy (A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story for ITV; I Made you a Mixtape for The Union Theatre; Cinderella for Yvonne Arnaud; Fairytale of New York for West End and UK Tour; Stick Man UK Tour; 13 the Musical Original West End cast at the Apollo Theatre), Matthew Jeans as Lee (Les Misérables; Miss Saigon; Hairspray; We Will Rock You; Grease the Musical; A Christmas Carol as Mr Cratchit; Eastenders for BBC), Isabel Snaas as Samantha (Fame The Musical European Tour; Marie Curie The Musical for Charing Cross Theatre; Guys and Dolls for Bridge Theatre; Frozen for Theatre Royal Drury Lane, West End and The OLIVIER Awards London), Hollie Jane Stephens as Jodie (Austenland for Savoy, West End; Guys and Dolls for London Theatre Company; Strictly Ballroom UK Tour; Chicago The Musical UK Tour) and Jabez Sykes as Luka (A Streetcar Named Desire for The Almeida/West End; Rock/Paper/Scissors for Sheffield Theatres; Spring Awakening for Hope Mill Theatre; Kiss Me Quickstep for New Vic Theatre).
The creative team for Kiss Me Quickstep includes Amanda Whittington (Writer); Lilac Yosiphon (Director); Joanna Goodwin (Choreographer); Eleanor Field (Set and Costume Designer); David Coull (Lighting Designer); and Lee Affen (Composer and Sound Designer).
Glitz, grit and ballroom glory – where passion and rivalry dance hand in hand.
Justin and Jodie finally make it to Blackpool’s national championships. Lee and Samantha ride high on recent success. Luka has travelled all the way from Russia, and local girl Nancy has trained since she was three. But what if dance-floor dreams turn into nightmares? What happens if a partner’s secret risks everything? And how do you break free from others’ expectations When the worlds at your feet, one wrong step could change it all…
“Competitive dancing is not about confidence. It’s about the illusion of confidence.”
Tickets and How to Book
Standard tickets £25 – £34. Under 26s £2 off. Friends 50% off previews and £5 off the rest of the run (Bands A & B only). Schools can book tickets at £14 per person plus one free with every 10 purchased. Part of “See 3 or more” deal, saving 25%. Best Deal offers 50 tickets available for every performance at ONLY £15 per person. Places can be booked by calling the Box Office on 01332 593939 or online at www.derbytheatre.co.uk
Access Performances
- Captioned performances – Wed 12 Jun 2.30pm; Sat 14 Jun 2.30pm & 7.30pm; Fri 20 Jun 7.30pm
- Audio described performances – Wed 12 June 2.30pm; Sat 21 June 2.30pm
- Dementia-Friendly performances – Wed 18 Jun 2.30pm
- BSL integrated performances – Thu 19 Jun 7.30pm; Sat 21 Jun 2.30pm
For more information and Kiss Me Quickstep updates, visit the Derby Theatre website here: Kiss Me Quickstep – Derby Theatre or follow us on social media (Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube – @derbytheatre).