Dirty Dancing at the Cliffs Pavilion Southend Review
Dirty Dancing
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend
11-21 January 2017
Reviewed by Claire Turner
I certainly had ‘the time of my life’ watching local lad Lewis Griffiths play Johnny Castle in Dirty Dancing at the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend. He was joined on stage by Katie Hartland who played Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman – the chemistry between her and Johnny is electrifying, Carlie Milner playing Penny Johnson is a fantastic dancer. It was a night filled with singing, dancing, laughter and love.
It’s not a musical as such but sits somewhere between that and a play. Michael Kent and Daniela Pobega have beautiful voices and act almost as narrators during the show. Lizzie Ottley plays Lisa Houseman and performs a cringeworthy rendition of the Hula! (Just like the film).
The scenes appear rushed and the cast are dashing on and off the stage but it works! Sets are moving as quick as the cast, thunder & lightning fill the theatre and the lake scene with Johnny and Baby practising their ‘lift’ was funny, not sure it was intentional due to the stage set. Pretty much the whole film is covered, the cast and orchestra are fantastic. The dancing is second to none and the audience were swaying along, at times, clapping and cheering.
As always the theatre is easy to reach with lots of nearby parking available – we opted for parking on the seafront and walking up to the theatre – we arrived in plenty of time to have a coffee, collect our tickets and find our seats.
Dirty Dancing is an iconic film from the 80’s with a romantic storyline and one of the best soundtracks to come out of a film. Everyone knows the line ‘nobody puts baby in the corner’ and this received rapturous applause from the audience. The iconic lift of Patrick Swayze & Jennifer Gray was welcomed with cheers. A must see show that will have you clapping and singing along. Don’t blink though – you wouldn’t want to miss a thing!
A very deserving 5 out of 5 stars!
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £33 to £62.50 (inclusive of booking fee).
Dirty Dancing is at the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend until 21 January 2017. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 01702 351135.
Cliffs Pavilion, Station Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 7RA | 01702 351135
