Hull New Theatre – until 23 October 2021
Reviewed by Catherine McWilliams
4****
There is no other way to start this review than to say that last night – we had the time of our lives! It may seem a cliché but the full house at Hull New Theatre had arrived ready to be entertained and to have a good time and that is exactly what Dirty Dancing delivered us. The roar and the standing ovation at the end of the performance said it all, Hull loved it. It was wonderful to be in a full theatre and to witness that reaction.
Dirty Dancing is based around the 1987 film with some additional material and the addition of live music, it is written by the same author, Eleanor Bergstein, and directed by Federico Bellone, with choreography by Austin Wilks. It is set at the Kellerman’s holiday resort where “Baby” Houseman (Kira Malou) and her family have gone for a vacation. “Baby” is a daddy’s girl, about to go to college and ready to change the world. By chance “Baby” discovers the world of the dancers employed by Kellerman’s and is drawn into their problems and soon finds herself at odds with her beloved father (Lynden Edwards). The story of Dirty Dancing touches on the issues of class and the expectations that come from the place of your birth, helping “Baby” to grow up and remove her rose-tinted glasses and to begin to see the world as it is.
Robert Comotti’s set design is wonderfully minimalist, some stairs, two doors and a raised area provide all the different areas of the resort as we zip through the story. The story line does move along very fast and with a change of lighting the stage can quickly become another area of the resort, so make sure you’re paying attention!
Kira Malou is a perfect “Baby” wonderfully idealistic and gauche as she starts to learn to dance with Johnny (Michael O’Reilly). Her dancing was superb, and she had superb timing as she “learnt to dance” providing some wonderful comedy moments. Michael O’Reilly, as Johnny, provided the perfect foil for “Baby” slightly awkward and not at all sure he should be speaking to her, constantly worrying about his job. His dancing was a joy to watch and the duets between Johnny and “Baby” were beautiful. The final scene with “that” dance and yes “the lift” practically brought the roof down, breath-taking to watch.
The dancing throughout was wonderful and the ensemble pieces were a real treat. Carlie Milner as Penny was spectacular to watch as she danced with Johnny.
It was great to see Kellerman’s band (Ben Mabberley, Tom Mussell and Miles Russell) on the stage and in the thick of the action as they so skilfully played an astonishing number of different instruments. Colin Charles, as Tito Suarez, has a stunning voice and he sang a brilliant rendition of “Love Man” as he whipped up the audience with consummate skill, ready for the rest of the performance. A huge mention should also go to Samuel Bailey (Billy Kostecki) who also has a wonderful voice.
Lizzie Ottley as Lisa Houseman, Thomas Sutcliffe as Neil Kellerman and Mark Faith as Mr Schumacher provided us with some real laugh out loud moments with their characters.
So, film or stage version? There is no contest Dirty Dancing on stage is a knockout with its stunning live music and dancing, it is far superior. As the show came to an end our “hands and hearts and voices“ didn’t belong to Kellerman’s but to the cast and production of Dirty Dancing.
Go to see Dirty Dancing and I promise you will leave the theatre with the biggest grin, walking several feet taller and feeling the best you have in an awfully long time.