New Wimbledon Theatre, London – until Saturday 24 November 2018
Reviewed by Alexandra Sykes
4****
On a cold wet night in the middle of November what could be better than being transported back to the summer of 1963? Answer, absolutely nothing, it is actually the best way to spend your evening.
Subtitled as “the classic love story on stage” the musical tells the story of Frances ‘ Baby’ Houseman (Kira Malou) as she spends a family holiday at the Kellermans resort where she meets Johnny Castle (Michael O’Reilly) and has the time of her life.
With a soundtrack of 60’s songs interwoven into the story the only song that is actually sung in the show is (I’ve had) The Time Of My Life which was sung by Katie Eccles and Alex Wheeler, the other songs appear as instrumentals or are played on records or the radio.
The scenery is impressive, setting the scene in the dining room, the dance room or the iconic lake scene where Baby and Johnny practise their lift.
Although Malou’s American accent can be annoying at times this is easily forgotten thanks in part to O’Reilly’s impressive abs and in one scene, his very pert bottom which generated a lot of cheers from the female members of the audience.
A special mention should be given to Simone Covele who plays Penny, her dancing and flexibility are jaw dropping and she really manages to get the audience to be sympathetic to what happens to her.
In all it is a wonderful night out featuring the iconic line “I carried a watermelon” and the line everyone knows and said with Johnny “Nobody puts Baby in a corner” which lead to cheers and applause from the audience. With the iconic lift at the end of the show the audience held its breath as O’Reilly picked up Malou and cheered when they were in the position everyone knows from Dirty Dancing.