Following acclaim from performances on Broadway and London's West End, the international dance phenomenon Burn the Floor returns to the Sydney Opera House this August with an extended season of Ballroom Re-Invented. The production, which has built a reputation for transforming traditional ballroom dance into contemporary spectacle, runs from August 6-17 with Australian performer Prinnie Stevens joining the cast as special guest.
Burn the Floor has consistently attracted audiences through its approach to ballroom dance as athletic performance art rather than any formal demonstration or competition. The company recruits from the upper echelons of the ballroom world, featuring dancers who have achieved championship status in international competition. These performers bring technical precision honed through years of competitive training, then apply those skills to choreography designed for theatrical impact (rather than roaming judges armed with a clipboard).
The addition of Prinnie Stevens to this production marks a notable collaboration between the dance-focused company and one of Australia's most versatile performers. Stevens, known for her work across musical theatre, cabaret, and television, likely brings vocal expertise to a production traditionally centred on movement. Her involvement suggests the show may incorporate more integrated musical elements than previous iterations.
Ballroom Re-Invented promises to feature the full spectrum of Latin and Standard ballroom styles. The program includes the elegant Waltz, the dramatic Tango, the rhythmically complex Samba, the playful Cha Cha, and the intensely passionate Rumba. Each dance style brings distinct musical and movement characteristics, allowing the production to shift dramatically in tone and energy throughout the evening.
Burn the Floor is known for its unique approach to choreographic structure. Rather than presenting individual dance demonstrations, the company creates theatrical narratives that flow between styles. This approach allows for more dynamic staging, with dancers moving (and sometimes leaping) seamlessly between partner changes, group formations, and solo showcases.
The extended season reflects strong advance interest in the production. Burn the Floor's previous Sydney seasons have demonstrated consistent audience appeal, drawing both dance enthusiasts and general entertainment seekers. Insiders say the company's reputation for high-energy performances and visual spectacle has established it as a reliable draw for venues seeking dynamic programming.
This August season positions Burn the Floor within the tail of Sydney's winter entertainment calendar, competing with established musicals and dramatic productions for audience attention. However, the company's unique offering – combining world-class athletic performance with theatrical spectacle – occupies a distinct niche in the local entertainment landscape.
The production leverages the ongoing evolution of ballroom dance as popular entertainment, moving beyond its traditional contexts of competition and social dancing to claim space in major performing arts venues worldwide.
Venue: Playhouse, Sydney Opera House
Season: Wednesday 6 – Sunday 17 August 2025
Dates & times: Wed & Thu 7pm; Friday 7.30pm; Sat 2pm & 8pm; Sunday 5pm
Ticket prices: $59 to $120
Bookings: https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/dance/burn-floor-2025
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