Pure, joyful fun – come for the nostalgia, stay for the dancing
Dirty Dancing at the King’s Theatre Glasgow was pure, joyful fun: warm, nostalgic, high-energy and irresistibly feel-good. Set in the summer of 1963, the show follows sheltered teenager Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman, on holiday with her family at a Catskills resort, as she falls for the camp’s dance instructor, Johnny Castle. Along the way she learns to dance, finds her confidence, and discovers that the world is bigger and more complicated than she thought.
I went in thinking, ‘the dancing had better be good,’ and boy – it delivered. The dancing was everything I wanted and more, and the talent of the ensemble was sublime, with not a weak link in the cast. Austin Wilks’ choreography shone, capturing the essence of the era and the spirit of the film. It paired real technical talent with a deep sense of nostalgia, and the result was a joy to watch. Every single cast member brought energy to the stage and clearly didn’t take a moment for granted. Many tours lack that little spark, but this production has it in spades. I guarantee that if you went in in a bad mood, you’d come out dancing.
The performances were second to none. Charlie Varley and Joel Benjamin were brilliant as Baby and Johnny, and their chemistry was undeniable. Varley brought a lovely light innocence to the role, along with great comic timing. The closing number, ‘(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life’, was absolutely unreal. The whole audience was on its feet, lapping up every second, and I could actually feel the vibrations through the floor under my feet. The atmosphere was electric, with the crowd singing, clapping and cheering, and it was exactly the euphoric finale the show deserves.
Ellie Fergusson was, in one word, mesmerising. Every time she was on stage, her incredible dance skill took my breath away. I didn’t know a body could move that way. The fluidity and control, the exceptional technique and the passion in every step were a sight to behold.
Eleanor Bergstein’s book translates brilliantly to the stage. It keeps the iconic lines, such as ‘I carried a watermelon’ and ‘Nobody puts Baby in a corner,’ much to the delighted screams of the audience, but it isn’t a carbon copy of the film. It works in its own right. Federico Bellone’s direction and set design hit the mark too, with fluid scene changes and a design that evoked the holiday-camp setting and the period without ever slowing the pace of the show.
My only quibble is that it veers into cringey territory at times. But you know what you’re signing up for with Dirty Dancing, and the cheese is part of the charm.
One touch I loved was having the musicians on stage. It added to the immersive feel of the piece, made the music feel alive, and meant the songs were part of the action rather than a backdrop to it. It’s a small detail, but it made a big difference.
Overall, this is a feel-good, high-energy production with exceptional dancing, a talented cast and a finale that had the whole theatre on its feet. If you’re a Dirty Dancing fan, it won’t disappoint. Go, and prepare to have the time of your life.
I am the biggest fan of this movie, and the song is Gold. No one puts baby in the corner. ( WINK )
Loved the show. Superb