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, and first up is six nights in Bromley - which will prove to be a truly special moment for soap star Maisie Smith.

“My family and friends are coming to Bromley, so it’s a really important week for me,” the actress, who plays Fran in the musical, says. “I am nervous, but I feel like Bromley will be good because I’ll shake the nerves off by then.”

Maisie, who is best known for her role as Tiffany Butcher in EastEnders, which she played from the age of six, is no stranger to the county.

“My friend went to uni in Kent, so I’ve been out a lot in Kent. I’ve been to a lot of pubs in Kent!”

But this time the roles are reversed and Maisie will be the one entertaining Kent audiences on their night out, 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!”

Maisie went on to compete 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?!”

The 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’s the first time Maisie will be performing in a musical live on stage, having spent most of her career acting on screen.

“It’s such a different style of acting, but it’s exciting,” says the performer. “With screen acting you don’t have much time, especially on a soap because the turnover is so quick. But with this, we’ve really had time to explore the script, and it’s a lovely opportunity for me because it’s something I’ve never done.”

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.”

Maisie Smith will be appearing in Strictly Ballroom at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley from Monday, October 3 to Saturday, October 8. Book online here or call 03433 100020.

The show will also be at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury in March 2023. Book online here or call 01227 787787.