Edinburgh Playhouse – until Saturday 17 June 2017. Reviewed by Linda McLaughlan
With the air electric with anticipation we awaited the performance to begin. The story began as we all know so well from the film production with arrival of the Houseman Family to the prestigious Kellerman’s House. ‘Baby’ (Katie Eccles) took centre stage as we followed her families arrival and their introduction to the staff who would be significant to their visit. The arrival of ‘Johnny Castle ’ (Lewis Griffiths) to the stage did not disappoint as he teased the audience with some formal dance steps as per his role as resort dance instructor. His routine with dance partner Penny Johnson (Carlie Milner) provides us with a small indication of their moves as they fluidly move across the stage.
The story really begins when ‘Baby” helps ‘Billy’ (Jonny’s cousin) “Carry a Watermelon’ and she is introduced to a world of dance she never new existed. The audience is taken along with Baby’s journey of discovery through the well known music accompaniment with songs such as ‘Do you love me’ ‘Wipe out’ ‘Hungry Eyes’. ‘I’ve had the time of my life’. The songs and story are well known by audiences all over the world and it is evident throughout the entire show the impact that the production has on its audience in Edinburgh tonight.
I have to mention the voice of Michael Kent who is a very talented performer which was highlighted in his vocal renditions throughout the night and also the comical performance from Lizzie Ottley who did not disappoint as Lisa Houseman especially during her ‘Hula’ at the end of season show
As for the story progresses and the moves from Lewis Griffiths become more intense leaving everyone breathless with anticipation watching him all that can be said is ‘WOW, WOW, WOW’. He had the audience in the palm of his hand through-out the production and his seductive dance moves and physique had many of the female audience encapsulated in his grasp, wanting to see more and he did not disappoint……a nerve tingling experience which everyone should feel.
I will definitely be back to see more of this exhilarating production and experience more of Johnny Castle in action.