There have been some fantastic musicals on stage at Manchester’s Palace Theatre recently, and the latest offering, Dirty Dancing, certainly didn’t disappoint.
The classic story, which was made famous by the 1987 film, stills feels as fresh today as it did back then.
I must admit, I was never a fan of the film. The two characters of Baby and Johnny, famously portrayed by Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze, just didn’t gel with me. It may also have had something to do with my housemate while I was at university back in the ‘90s. She was a nurse at the nearby hospital and used to watch Dirty Dancing on video at least once a week - even holding Dirty Dancing parties with her colleagues in our lounge!
So, when I heard that the Palace was to stage the hit musical, I was a bit apprehensive. But I am so glad I went along. The whole show was a joy from start to finish - and judging by the reaction of the audience - it was a hit.
The story is set in 1963 in America. The Houseman family - mum, dad, daughter Lisa and the ‘Baby’ of the family, 17-year-old Frances - are holidaying at an upmarket resort. The resort hosts games and classes for the holiday-makers to get involved in.
Baby falls for dance teacher Johnny Castle after she is introduced to a secret ‘dirty dancing’ party for resort staff by Johnny’s cousin Billy.
Johnny’s dance partner Penny is pregnant and decides to have an illegal abortion, which means she can’t take part in a performance at a nearby resort. Baby asks her father for the money to help Penny, but doesn’t tell him what it is for. She then decides to take Penny’s place in the dance and is taught the routine by Johnny.
Despite not doing a lift at the end of the dance, the performance is seen as a success and is praised by the people at the resort. Unfortunately, back at Kellerman’s, Penny becomes ill after the abortion and Baby enrols the help of her father, who is a doctor. He is disgusted with the people Baby has become close to and shuns her after helping Penny.
At the end of the vacation, the holiday-makers gather for the end of season show, when Johnny and Baby put on a star performance, including a successful lift, which the audience lapped up.
The whole show, which is littered with such classic tunes as Do You Love Me, Hungry Eyes, Duke of Earl, She’s Like The Wind and, of course, the uplifting (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life, is the ultimate toe-tapping feel-good musical. The main characters don’t sing and the music and songs are delivered by a small band on stage, who were excellent.
Kira Malou is outstanding as Baby as she portrays the shy, naive teenager who grows into a strong young woman who wants to work for the Peace Corps.
Michael O’Reilly, as Johnny, was also a huge hit and he brought out shrieks and squeals from the audience, especially when he was romancing Baby and took his top off! One woman sat near me even shouted out ‘don’t put your pants back on’ when he was getting dressed after a bedroom scene.
There is a lot of dancing, with some quite X-rated, which also added to the whoops from the audience! Georgia Aspinall, who played Penny, was outrageously good, especially doing the splits and kicking her legs high.
The set also complemented the show, with white fences, tables and strings of white sparkling lights for the holiday scenes which contrasted to the red lights of the ‘secret’ dance sessions.
Of course, who can’t talk about Dirty Dancing without mentioning one of the most iconic lines in film history (‘nobody puts Baby in the corner’) and, once again, it was met with shouts and cheers from the audience.
The finale saw the audience serve as the audience of the end of season talent show and had everyone clapping and singing along, especially during the ‘lift’ with the cast receiving a deserved standing ovation.
Once again, the Palace has delivered and if you manage to watch Dirty Dancing you really will have the time of your life!
Review by Lisa Burns
