Dirty Dancing At Festival Theatre, Edinburgh Review

In 1989 Dirty Dancing graced our movie theatres – it is a classic forbidden romance set in 1963. In America political change was on every headline and minds of the people. As the opening lines of Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman sets the tone…

‘That was the summer of 1963 – when everybody called me Baby, and it didn’t occur to me to mind. That was before President Kennedy was shot, before the Beatles came, when I couldn’t wait to join the Peace Corps, and I thought I’d never find a guy as great as my dad. That was the summer we went to Kellerman’s….’

The high energy performance of all the dancers and singers had the audience gasping and grinning; plus, one or two wolf whistles. As the love story unfolded, with the drama of the well to do guests and staff, where money was flashed for every desire. Family fights and disobedience.

I was delighted that the story line did not venture far from the original film storyline even though there were a few added, and many of the songs sung live. The more iconic and popular scenes from the film were included like the watermelon scene, the lake, and the lift.

It is not easy to single out the performers as they all played their parts with high energy, enjoyment and worked remarkably together.

Kira Malou as Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman had the audience from the start as her innocence and at first clumsiness as she learnt to dance, brought many chuckles, and ohs and ahs during heated love scenes.

Michael O’Reilly as Johnny Castle had the moves, the body, and the charisma that no hot-blooded person could deny. In my opinion, he was a far better Johnny than Patrick in the film, as Michael’s character was strong yet also gentle and understanding. When he returned running through the aisle, throwing his bag onto the stage and delivering his line ‘Nobody puts Baby in a corner’. I will be watching out for him again in other productions.

Carlie Milner as Penny Johnston was as light as a feather as she danced, her form was stunning, and I could have watched her for ages. She played her character well, and with dealing with the unwanted pregnancy and abortion her pain and dilemma showed on every movement and facial expression.

Two others that grabbed my attention were Johnny’s cousin, Billy (Samuel Bailey) sung the most impressive and beautiful solo. The other was Colin Charles as Tito Suarez, he has an amazing voice and when he started swinging and grinding those hips, he seduced you with a hypnotic rhythm. He is a true performer and loves what he is doing.
All in all, Dirty Dancing must be one of the best theatres from film production I have ever seen. It was electrifying and the energy was felt throughout the audience. The final song that got the audience involved was a bonus and singing along clapping and swaying; which ended in a standing ovation with whistles, whoops, and shout outs.

Rating: 5/5

On 8 – 13 November 2021
Tickets cost from £29.50 (which includes a contribution to the Theatres Development Fund)

To book please visit Dirty Dancing – Capital Theatres