Tara Morice ‘I'M STILL DANCING'

THE STAR IS DUSTING OF HER DANCING SHOES THREE DECADES AFTER HER BREAKOUT ROLE

- Kylie Walters

It’s hard to believe that 2022 marks 30 years since Baz Luhrmann’s hit film Strictly Ballroom was released. And three decades later, leading lady Tara Morice is dusting off her dancing shoes for another spin – but this time she’ll be doing it live.

The Aussie star, who we fell in love with as the loveable yet frumpy Fran who dreams of being a ballroom champ, can be seen on stage in The Deb in Sydney during February and March. “It’s a musical so I’ll be singing and dancing – and yes, I’m still dancing,” the actress, 57, tells WHO. “I still really love it, but find I don’t pick up the choreography as quickly now as I did in the ’90s,” she explains with a laugh.

Fran was your first film role. Is it still the one that has had the biggest impact on your career?

Absolutely! But there is also a new generation who know me from Dance Academy. Sometimes I’ll be out and get approached by mums with their teenage daughters, who’ll say, “I love you in Dance Academy.” Then their mum nudges them and says, “It’s called Strictly Ballroom.”

The dance rom-com has become iconic. Did you have any idea how special it was while filming?