Dirty Dancing Master Class Review

Dirty Dancing Master Class

Reviewed by Debbie Tasker

My sister and I made our way to Studio 25 in Manchester City Centre on a freezing January night hoping to have the time of our lives (excuse the pun!) at a Dirty Dancing master class we were very lucky to be invited to.

On arriving we were met by a very friendly lady who pointed us in the right direction. Once in the room we were given a folder containing a little info on the dancers who were going to be performing and a badge – that my over giddy sister pinned straight onto her bag (she is 33 by the way not 15 as what I am saying might lead you to believe). There was also a table set up with various wines, fruit juices and water on, we were told to help ourselves and we proceeded to do so!

A few minutes later the choreographer Glenn Wilkinson joined us who gave us a short talk explaining about the dancing and what was going to happen during the master class.

We were then invited into a larger dance studio to watch and take part in some dirty dancing… this is where the fun really begins.

Firstly Kate Champion and Tim Hodges performed for us, all I can say is wow, they were both fantastic, and Kate is like a bendy doll we were getting dizzy watching them. We were told later in the questions and answers section at the end they have both been members of the cast. We didn't really need telling as they were both faultless in what they were doing.

Now it was our turn, Glenn did say it was optional and if you didn't want to join in that we could go next door and get a glass of wine, we were first to join the chorus line, with my sister once again a little too enthusiastic, I would say half of the audience joined in and we were ready to go. What came next was so much fun we were in stitches. We taught a very basic routine that we should have been able to follow no problem, not us bumping into people and trying to keep up. I usually, even if I say so myself have a bit of rhythm – not this night and I am going to blame the full wall mirrors putting me off  my stride with the sight of me dancing around.

We both, and from what I could see everybody else, thoroughly enjoyed our routine.

While we were getting our breath back Glenn told us that Kate and Tim were going to perform another dance from the show, I don't think my sister must have been listening because she moved into the middle of the floor again ready to dance! This was the funniest bit, as I had to say "What you doing? Come back, you’re not joining in again!" I think by now you can see it is her favourite show/film/soundtrack ever.

They did another fantastic routine, I was amazed how they moved around the floor and the lifts were amazing.

After they had finished you could ask questions, and were offered another drink.

We left smiling from ear to ear and eager to see the tour when it arrives at the Palace Theatre, Manchester from 21 May -15 June 2013. Tickets cost from £19.50 to £75.00.

For more information or to book tickets for Dirty Dancing click here. 

Rating: 5/5