Pull out your dancing shoes for the return of award-winning musical 'Top Hat'.

Made world-famous by dance duo Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, the spectacular West End production brings the glamour of Hollywood's golden age to the stage in one of the greatest dance musicals of all time.

Dripping with elegance and chivalric romance, this sassy production is stopping off in Wimbledon as part of a 47-week national tour. Louisa Clarence-Smith catches up with leading lady Charlotte Gooch as she gears up for the show.

Louisa Clarence-Smith: Pitched as a romantic comedy celebrating 1930s song, style and romance, Top Hat has already received three Olivier awards. What would you say audiences can expect from the show?

Charlotte Gooch: First of all, lots of laughs. It's a very funny piece. The story goes along the lines of a dancer who travels across Europe to win the heart of a society girl.

Audiences can also expect beautiful music. It's all the classics like Cheek to Cheek, Let's Face the Music and Dance and Puttin' on the Ritz. The show is well-known for its costumes and scenography so it's definitely got a bit of something for everyone.

LCS: Following in the footsteps of Ginger Rogers, you've taken on the star role of Dale Tremont. Tell us about her.

CG: Dale is an American society girl-cum-model. She starts off in London modelling and she comes across the character Jerry Travers. She's very self-confident and meets this character and is enchanted by his tap dancing but mistakenly believes he is married to a friend of hers, and when she goes to tell him off you see him start to fall in love with her.

LCS: You've already performed in a West End production of the show. What persuaded you to dust-off your dancing shoes once again for the role?

CG: It's just such a great role. In theatre and musical theatre there are so few leading lady roles that require you to do the singing, dancing and acting to such extremes. And the fabulous costumes, of course!

LCS: Why do you think these old-school characters still appeal today?

CG: I think Frank and Ginger are so iconic and they made so many beautiful films and dance sequences that people remember it. Everyone loves to sit down and watch a black and white movie and the show has that kind of appeal. It's also the story and timeless romance with beautiful scenography on top of it. It appeals to so many people, even my little nephew came to watch it and he loved it and came out saying he wants to go and do tap-dancing classes.

LCS: Born in Guildford and trained at Laine Theatre Arts in Epsom, you've recently completed a run playing the leading role of Penny Johnson in Dirty Dancing at The Piccadilly Theatre. Do you have any advice for young performers aspiring to mirror your success?

CG: I think if it's something that you love doing, it's a very difficult industry but if you really love it and you have passion for it you really have to go for it, and if you really want to get into it, just work hard and keep dancing. Focus on the work, that should be your priority and don't get wrapped up in the drama and competition.

Top Hat; New Wimbledon Theatre, 93 The Broadway, Wimbledon; August 12 to 23; Tues to Sat, 7.30pm, mats Tues, Thurs, Sat, 2.30pm; atgtickets.com