Dirty Dancing On Stage Review – Dominion Theatre
“No one puts Baby in the corner.” If you don’t know the relevance of this quote, then you must have been living under a rock. For those who don’t know I’m talking about one of the most successful independent films of all time, Dirty Dancing. Which after a record-breaking run last year, has bopped its way back to the West End. Running at the Dominion Theatre for a limited run, you can catch the show up until Saturday 29 April 2023.
It’s the summer of 1963, and 17-year-old Frances ‘Baby’ is about to learn some major lessons in life. As well as a thing or two about dancing. On holiday at Kellerman’s summer camp with her older sister and parents, she shows little interest in the resort activities. But after a chance encounter she finds herself drawn into the world of raunchy dance moves at all-night dance parties.
She soon finds herself involved in the lives, and troubles, of the staff at Kellermans. She soon catches sight of Johnny Castle, one of the resort’s dance instructors. Stepping in as his dancer partner at an upcoming show Johnny has to upscale her novice dance moves. It’s a coming-of-age story as Baby comes out of her shell and blossoms as a young woman and a dancer. She is thrown in the deep end as she becomes Johnny’s leading lady both on stage and off.
Michael O’Reilly, Kira Malou and Charlotte Gooch all return in their roles of Johnny, Baby, and Penny. Michael has great chemistry with both ladies, allowing the audience to invest in both the love story and the friendships. The whole cast are incredibly talented, and the dance scenes are amazing, but Charlotte is on another level. Kira does a great job acting like a beginner before being able to fully showcase her skills as Baby improves.
Whilst dance is at the forefront of the show there are some great musical numbers featured too. Lydia Sterling and Danny Colligan play Elizabeth and Billy, and both are incredible singers and are a joy to listen to. And Colin Charles’ in the role of Tito opens the second half of the show with a great rendition of Love Man. There were a few technical issues on the night; spotlights not bright enough and some mics not turned up. But this was picked up in the second half and was probably just opening jitters.
The Dominion Theatre is a great venue for this show with a large stage to house an impressive set. The audience are taken to the country club dining room, golf course, rooms, staff bar, and lake. Cunning lighting and set design allow the recreation of the scene where Johnny and Baby practice dance lifts in the water. Although they could do with something between the log and lake scenes as suddenly, you’re just left waiting.
Dirty Dancing is a great show, and you’ll have a really enjoyable night watching it. The end dance scene, recreating the iconic routine from the film, is stunning. They absolutely smash the recreation, and I could happily watch it over and over. The energy and talent on stage will leave you with a sense of joy and delight. Following Dirty Dancing’s run at the Dominion Theatre it will tour the UK and Ireland from May until November. You can get your tickets for both the London show and the tour of Dirty Dancing.
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Photo Credit: Mark Senior
