Festival’s Theatre, Edinburgh – until 9th of March 2019.
Reviewed by Hannah Plumb
3***
Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage comes to the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh to share come of its classic movie magic. It’s the summer of 1963 and Frances “Baby” Houseman travels to Kellerman’s in the Catskill’s with parents and older sister for some summer fun. However when she encounters dance teacher Johnny Castle she is pulled in to a fiery summer romance that will challenge each of their beliefs. Can these two fiercely independent young lovers from different backgrounds be able to survive the most exciting and unexpected summer of their lives?
The cast of Dirty Dancing is lead by Kira Marlou as Baby and Michael O’ Reilly as Johnny Castle. Their on-stage chemistry is very believable as they play our this tumultuous young love affair, O’Reilly’s portrayal of the bad boy dance instructor is well contrasted by Marlou’s as the bright-eyed ingenue. They play off each other well. The highlight of the piece is Simone Covele as Penny Johnson. Covele’s dance ability is excellent and her movement sequences with O’Reilly really are the standout moments in the piece.
The band play well as they provide a soundtrack to this crazy summer of love with 80’s hits which will make you want to sing along. The bulk of the vocals are performed by Sian Gentle-Green as Elizabeth and Alex Wheeler as Billy Kostecki which does take you out of the story a bit as you try to pay attention to their developing relationship as well. However, they perform well and their vocals are strong.
Dirty Dancing is a classic. That being said the plot is dated and “of its time” making it hard to connect with for a first time viewer. However, if you are a big fan of the original movie go and see the stage show as it stays very true to the film and who can resist witnessing that legendary lift live.