Christina D’Agostino and Lachlan Martin will perform in Strictly Ballroom the Musical, which opens at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne on January 17.

D’Agostino, who graduated from the University of Ballarat in 2007, will play the part of Emily Waters and Martin will take on the role of Clarry Welch.

D’Agostino said working with one of Australia’s best-known directors was a career highlight.

“To work with someone like Baz Luhrmann, I can’t even put the words together,” she said.

“I’ve been in the industry for quite some time and it’s rare to workshop and perform in such a new show. And the fact that he is in the rehearsal rooms with us is great.”

D’Agostino said it was the perfect stepping stone into the musical theatre industry.

Originating as a stage play in 1984, Strictly Ballroom became better known for its film version.