Dirty Dancing
The Classic Story on Stage
Cliffs Pavilion
11th January to 21 January 2017
The Classic Story on Stage
Cliffs Pavilion
11th January to 21 January 2017
Dirty Dancing has always been one of those go to ‘feel-good’ movies. Not only does the film have a wonderfully romantic storyline, it will also always be remembered for its great soundtrack with music and songs that defined many a teenagers life during the 60s era. It is especially remembered, of course, by that iconic lift which will always be synonymous with Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Gray as Johnny Castle and Baby Houseman, with Swayze melting a million girls’ hearts as he declares, “Nobody puts Baby in the corner!”
Dirty Dancing is the ultimate holiday camp romance; the well-to-do Houseman family - mum, dad and daughters, Lisa and Baby - are on their summer vacation at Kellermans Holiday Resort in upstate New York's Catskill Mountain. Baby falls for Johnny Castle, the camp’s good-looking dance instructor, as she finds herself filling in for his dance partner, Penny, despite Johnny’s background being vastly different from her own.
The Dirty Dancing tour has come to Southend’s Cliffs Pavilion directly from the West End and this latest production has been nipped and tucked to provide a quicker and slicker show than previous productions may have delivered.
Some may be surprised to learn that this show is neither a musical nor a drama. Instead, it's a kind of mixture of both theatrical genres and is actually a rather refreshing concept.
Having already heard Lewis Griffiths’ fabulous singing voice when he played Nick Massi in the tour of Jersey Boys, the fact that he doesn’t get to sing in this show is a tad disappointing, however, any dismay is quickly dissipated with a performance that goes from strength to strength throughout the show in a role that he has truly made his own. With a body that has certainly become one of a dancers, Lewis proves that he can do what it takes on the dance floor and in equal measure Carlie Milner, as Penny, is simply stunning.
Katie Hartland is the perfect Baby and the scenes with her and Griffiths really convey how much of a chemistry they have.
It was blatantly clear to hear that the audience loved Griffiths as Johnny, (who, incidentally, is playing to a home crowd here in Southend, as he originates from Benfleet), with whoops of joy from many of the ladies in the audience - and possibly some of the men - as various articles of clothing were gradually removed and nothing left to the imagination in one particular scene!
Other stand out performances go to Michael Kent, (with teeth bigger and whiter than the whole of the Osmond family), playing Billy Kostecki. His vocals were spot on, especially during the In the Still of the Night number; and also to Daniela Pobega playing Elizabeth. Lizzie Ottley as Baby’s older sister Lisa also made the most of the hilarious Hula number.
Huge credit also to the band who all perform along with the cast on stage and produce a great sound.
Impressive staging with slick scene changes keep the pace of the show going and we are treated to no less than 44 songs and backing tracks throughout this production, including Hungry Eyes, I’ve Had the Time of My Life, and Love is Strange, which remains true and reminiscent to the original film and loyal to its writer, Eleanor Bergstein who also penned this stage version.
For anyone contending with the January blues right now, Dirty Dancing will, I guarantee, leave you with a feeling that you’ve really ‘had the time of your life’.
Tickets are selling fast so make sure you grab yours quickly. You can go online to www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135
For our interview with Lewis Griffiths click here
Dirty Dancing is the ultimate holiday camp romance; the well-to-do Houseman family - mum, dad and daughters, Lisa and Baby - are on their summer vacation at Kellermans Holiday Resort in upstate New York's Catskill Mountain. Baby falls for Johnny Castle, the camp’s good-looking dance instructor, as she finds herself filling in for his dance partner, Penny, despite Johnny’s background being vastly different from her own.
The Dirty Dancing tour has come to Southend’s Cliffs Pavilion directly from the West End and this latest production has been nipped and tucked to provide a quicker and slicker show than previous productions may have delivered.
Some may be surprised to learn that this show is neither a musical nor a drama. Instead, it's a kind of mixture of both theatrical genres and is actually a rather refreshing concept.
Having already heard Lewis Griffiths’ fabulous singing voice when he played Nick Massi in the tour of Jersey Boys, the fact that he doesn’t get to sing in this show is a tad disappointing, however, any dismay is quickly dissipated with a performance that goes from strength to strength throughout the show in a role that he has truly made his own. With a body that has certainly become one of a dancers, Lewis proves that he can do what it takes on the dance floor and in equal measure Carlie Milner, as Penny, is simply stunning.
Katie Hartland is the perfect Baby and the scenes with her and Griffiths really convey how much of a chemistry they have.
It was blatantly clear to hear that the audience loved Griffiths as Johnny, (who, incidentally, is playing to a home crowd here in Southend, as he originates from Benfleet), with whoops of joy from many of the ladies in the audience - and possibly some of the men - as various articles of clothing were gradually removed and nothing left to the imagination in one particular scene!
Other stand out performances go to Michael Kent, (with teeth bigger and whiter than the whole of the Osmond family), playing Billy Kostecki. His vocals were spot on, especially during the In the Still of the Night number; and also to Daniela Pobega playing Elizabeth. Lizzie Ottley as Baby’s older sister Lisa also made the most of the hilarious Hula number.
Huge credit also to the band who all perform along with the cast on stage and produce a great sound.
Impressive staging with slick scene changes keep the pace of the show going and we are treated to no less than 44 songs and backing tracks throughout this production, including Hungry Eyes, I’ve Had the Time of My Life, and Love is Strange, which remains true and reminiscent to the original film and loyal to its writer, Eleanor Bergstein who also penned this stage version.
For anyone contending with the January blues right now, Dirty Dancing will, I guarantee, leave you with a feeling that you’ve really ‘had the time of your life’.
Tickets are selling fast so make sure you grab yours quickly. You can go online to www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135
For our interview with Lewis Griffiths click here
Ask the Audience
|
Russell, Chelmsford
"I thought it was very good. I liked the scenery and I thought it was pretty much the same as the film. Everyone was really good in it. Fantastic!" Sharon, Chelmsford "The scene changes were good and I liked the use of projection too. Lisa's 'Hula' song was very funny. All the dancing was fantastic." |
|
|
Sue, Shoebury "I saw the show in the West End and this is just as good. I'd come back again if I could. I like that it is the same as the film." Karen, Westcliff "Johnny was my favourite in the show, he was very good. It's a very good show. No one can beat Patrick Swayze but Lewis was absolutely brilliant!" |