DIRTY Dancing has to be one of the most iconic films of the last century and the stage show does not disappoint.
The musical, at Stoke’s Regent Theatre until Saturday, March 30, tells the classic story of Baby Houseman who goes on holiday with her family to the Kellerman’s resort.
The well-to-do daddy’s girl goes on the journey of a lifetime as she falls for dance instructor Johnny Castle and learns a few dance moves along the way.
This was not the first time I have seen Dirty Dancing on the stage as I also took a trip to London’s West End to see it a couple of years ago and I have to say the touring version was just as good.
I could not find a fault with either of them and they both had the audience on their feet at the end.
The Stoke show stuck to the original story beautifully with only a few minor adaptions to make it fit for the stage.
It was all there, from the carrying of the watermelon, the practicing dancing on the log to ultimately the iconic lift, which has to be the most memorable part of the show, along with the line ‘Nobody puts Baby in the corner’.
Jill Winternitz and Paul-Michael Jones brought Baby and Johnny back to life and captured what we first loved about the characters in the film, adding a few personal touches of their own which only enhanced the show.
The chemistry was there between the performers and they put on an amazing night.
I can literally not fault it and it was everything you expect from Dirty Dancing and more. The rest of the cast were also brilliant and really captured the essence of the swinging sixties.
Their energy did not slow down at all throughout the show and reflected on the audience, who were on the edge of their seats, and sometimes even dancing in them, throughout the night.
As soon as the popular line was said and they started dancing, the audience was bouncing in their seats.
The set was also very impressive and allowed the performers to move through the story with ease and the audience to follow exactly what part of the film they were at.
The Stoke theatre was almost full, which is impressive for a Wednesday night, and you could see why.
At some point most people have seen Dirty Dancing, although some will not admit it, and it is a film you instantly fall in love with.
Adapting for the stage only adds to its success and puts the audience back in 1963, with all the classic songs all there including Do You Love Me?, Hungry Eyes, She’s Like the Wind and of course, the Time of My Life.
If you fell in love with the film, you do not want to miss the stage show. It brings the film and the era back to life and watching it in a theatre adds something more to it than watching it from the comfort of your own home. The cast definitely deserved the standing ovation
To take a look at our VIDEO interview with two of the main cast members, click here.
