Dirty Dancing at Blackpool Winter Gardens Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Cath
There are some films that you can watch over and over again and Dirty Dancing is firmly in that category. So, when the chance came to see the stage musical at Blackpool Opera House last night, I didn’t need asking twice!
From the moment the curtain goes up and the music begins, the audience is transported back to 1963 and Kellerman’s holiday resort, where naive 17 year old Frances Houseman, affectionately known as “Baby” is on vacation with her family. What starts as a fairly ordinary family holiday soon takes a rather more interesting turn when Baby discovers the resort’s dance instructors and, more importantly, Johnny Castle who teaches her a lot more than just dancing!
Played with plenty of charm and attitude, Joel Benjamin as Johnny has all the brooding good looks and swagger you would expect in the role made famous by Patrick Swayze. Charlie Varlett was also perfectly cast as Baby, whose transformation from innocent teenager to confident young woman provides the heart of the story.
I loved the film and was really pleased that the stage show has kept the story intact along with the fantastic soundtrack. It really wouldn’t have been the same without the classic songs including Hungry Eyes, Hey! Baby, (I’ve Had) the Time of My Life, In the Still of the Night and She’s Like the Wind. Many of the songs were played on stage by Kellerman’s Band, headed by Kevin Oliver Jones, and it was great to see the musicians on stage rather than in the orchestra pit.
Producer Karl Sydow and the rest of the production team have done a brilliant job of bringing the film to the stage. The set moves effortlessly between the different locations at Kellerman’s, while the choreography is energetic and very impressive with lots of high kicks and lifts. All the cast were fantastic dancers but special mention needs to go to understudy Ellie Cutler who played Penny Johnson last night, she was absolutely sensational.
The whole cast work incredibly well together and the chemistry between Johnny and Baby was just as good as in the original film. Of course, everyone who has seen the film was waiting to see how the infamous lift scene would be done and I won’t spoil it……but it looked very realistic despite the lack of water in the theatre!
By the finale, the whole theatre was on their feet dancing and singing to the final songs. If you are a fan of the film, this is a brilliant opportunity for a touch of 80’s nostalgia. And if you’ve never seen Dirty Dancing, then now is your chance.
The show is at Blackpool Opera House until Saturday 19th September and the theatre are also offering a Dirty Dancing Afternoon Tea as pre-theatre treat. Priced at £25, it includes a selection of sandwiches, cream scones served with clotted cream and jam, plus a tempting selection of cakes. For an extra £5, you can add a glass of fizz and raise a toast before heading off to the theatre.
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £25.95
For more information or to book tickets visit https://www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/events/dirty-dancing/ or call the box office on 0844 770 0593
Photo credit Danny Kaan