Dirty Dancing - worth the wait?

Cheesier than a cauldron full of four-cheese fondue, if you loved the movie, (I mean really loved the movie), you’ll soak it up like a fresh, crusty baguette from Sainsburys.  It’s the film, basically, word for word, scene by scene, unravelling before your Hungry Eyes and spinning with it some of the hottest, leanest, fittest bodies you’ve ever seen. The skin-tight leotard modelled by the troubled Penny is enough to make a girl weep into her bucket of chicken and wonder where she’s going wrong. 

All the best bits are there and as the fans explode in fits of giggles at the scenes that probably once made them cry with pre-teen, hormonal lusting, it’s apparent that no matter how corny the dialogue, how cheesy the tunes, Dirty Dancing is a legend.

Set in Catskills holiday camp, Kellermans, we follow ordinary girl Baby as she becomes entwined with the entertainment staff, after carrying that infamous watermelon.  (We always knew fruit was good for us). Losing her virginity and finding a hunky, funky first love was never part of her plan (yeah, right), but she can hardly refuse swaggering, sexy Johnny, when he teaches her to dance in ways that would make her beloved daddy weep. There are sub-plots galore but let’s face it, all us ladies care about is seeing Johnny with his top off.

There’s a surprising lack of celebrity presence, considering how many fans would (and probably did) pay through the roof for tickets. But the show has sold on its name alone, with forums and chatrooms buzzing in anticipation months before the London show had even been cast.  It seemed that whoever was set to star, the audience would flock for the flashbacks alone; for those moments jumping on the sofa, clutching a hairbrush and singing along, wearing leggings, the first time they were cool.  They seem to have gone for an almost mirror image of Jennifer Grey’s Baby, played by a wholesome Georgina Rich and complete with appalling perm.  She even sounds like Baby, which is weird.

Former ballet dancer Josef Brown – he of “body to make grown women quiver” throws himself into the role of Johnny.  And although his questionable American accent oozes desperate, earnest pantomime cheese, no one gives a crap when he ditches the shirt and thrusts his groin at the audience in the glare of a perfectly placed spotlight. Come to mummy.

It's pretty hard not to laugh when the log lowers in from the left, right down in front of a projected lake. Well, how else were they supposed to do “that scene?”  The part where Baby and Jonny practice dancing away from camp is actually really cute and they get through the field and water scenes using similar projections, clever lighting and some smoke. You’ll have to see it to understand!  Also, look out for the pause before Baby pleads “Jonny” - a moment which sends the audience into hysterics, just because the same line in the movie is so utterly cringe-worthy.

No matter what the press hounds think when they get their grubby paws on tickets, sales for Dirty Dancing have already exceeded £6 million, making it the biggest box office advance for any show in West End history. The guy next to me said it all when he turned and announced – “There was a ticket tout outside, selling two for £50 each. You know you’ve got a hit on your hands when you see a tout at a preview.” It’s true. Dirty Dancing opens its doors to the public one month after word’s already spread about preview performances and still, it’s the hottest ticket in town. 

Yes it’s cheesy, yes, most blokes will hate it, (go with your girls, ladies), and yes, it’s taken a god-awful 80s movie and made an even more puke-inducing show out of it.  But for some strange reason, you’ll still have the time of your life.

By Becky Wicks

Comments

[Pippa]

It was well worth the money (the other half paid). Cheesy yes, but a classic brought to the stage. I would certainly go again, but with the girls this time so we could sing along together!

[Lisa Eastman]

Classic film and classic show the scenes were amazing i was so excited and thought Georgina Rich who plays Baby was fantastic she even sounded like her and although at first i wasn't too keen on Josef Brown as johnny i soon changed my mind when his top came off and he started dancing with baby in the bedroom scene. The other cast members were good but the best bit was the end when Jonny walks in and does the time of my life with Baby it made me cry i think because i got so excited. Brilliant brilliant film i went with 10 girls but am now trying to persuade my husband to take me back again to see it, if he doesn't the girls will be going again thats how good it was. Go and see for yourself if you loved the film you will love the show!!

[Jacqui Reynolds (Giselle's Friend)]

I was looking to see where william peaco jr is at i am a very close friend of his mothers'... I am very interested in knowing if your show will be coming to broadway to America.. please email me and let me know
Jacqui

[sara]

cant wait to see this amazing musical, my other half took me to london and i had a choice of billy elliot or this and i chose billy elliot, taking me again this year to see this and i cant wait!! xx

[Nikki Jones]

absolutly fabulous show, the actors who played baby and jonny were brilliant sounded like them and everything. i gota little bit steamed up with the bedroom scene and so did the other 35 girls i went with! We go once a year to see different shows but i would definatly go back to see this! Brilliant- worth the money!

[caro]

I have seen the show three times now and it just seems to get better and better!!
All of the actors are great. The music is brilliant and the dancing is hot hot hot!!
A top night out with your friends ir your man!

[char]

heya every1 im a 16 yr old girl who absolutely adores this film it was made 20 years ago this year and i can basically recite the whole script and it was made before i was born. i saw it at the aldwych theatre and i thought it was absolutely amzing and i would recommend it 2 any1 who is a big fan of the film! i think patrick swayze and jennifer grey should be proud of the actors and actresses who took on the role of these powerful characters. josef brown and georgina rich played the roles brilliantly and everybody enjoyed it!! thanks for a brilliant show!! xxx

I went to see Dirty Dancing last night and it was hot hot hot :))) the dancing is out of this world Baby is just fab and Johnny was fantastic, in fact the whole cas cast were great. I have not stopped thinking about it all day. acrowd of us went including my husband and we all loves it we would be up for it to go again. thank you for such a great show.

[sandra ellingham]

went to see dirty dancing last night with a girl friend it was great, not keen on johnny at first but he grew on me. (patrick swazy he is not) baby was great just like the film even sounded like her.really great show go and see it.

[BabyJ]

Went to see the show in London last February! It was a suprise for my birthday so I didn't know about it! It was fantastic! Just as I had imagined! Jhonny was great. Baby was great. The show was out of this world! Nobody puts baby in a corner! Woooop! Love it!