Dirty Dancing Archives - North West End UK

Dirty Dancing – Winter Gardens Blackpool

9Sep

By Rebecca CaseyNo Comments

North West

Dirty Dancing – Winter Gardens Blackpool

Tonight sees the return of Dirty Dancing, the Musical UK tour here in Blackpool. Dirty Dancing the movie was released back in 1987, starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. The film based on the screenwriter’s own childhood was released to worldwide acclaim, holding the record for the first ever movie to sell more than 1 million copies of the home movie. The soundtrack is also the best-selling album of all time in Germany. There’s no denying its popularity and catchy quotable one-liners such as ‘Nobody puts Baby in a corner.’ I am a big fan of the movie and the soundtrack, but I have never seen the stage show until this evening, I didn’t really know what to expect, but I had high hopes that I would enjoy it as much as the movie. Without wanting to give too many spoilers, the sho...

8Nov

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Dirty Dancing – Hull New Theatre

The first couple of minutes of Dirty Dancing, at the Hull New Theatre on Tuesday night, was in the dark - had the spotlights failed? It soon became apparent the darkness was on purpose and it made the sudden burst of colour that followed even more memorable and exciting. And the excitement lasted until the very last - make that lasting - standing ovation for a production that is nothing short of perfect. We in the packed theatre were transported back to 1963 America and Kellerman’s Holiday Resort. Regular visitors to the resort are Dr Jake Houseman (Jack Loy), his wife Marjorie (Taryn Sudding) and daughters, Lisa (Daisy Steere) and Frances “Baby” (Kira Malou). At 16 or 17 years of age, Baby really is the baby of the family - but, boy, she certainly grows up thanks to Kellerm...

11Oct

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Dirty Dancing – Bradford Alhambra

‘I like that Johnny, he ticks a few boxes.’ That was one woman’s verdict on ripped Michael O’Reilly who plays the hero of this musical version of the classic kitsch movie, and evidently shared by someone who wolf whistled at the start when he merely sauntered onstage wearing his shades. In fairness to the talented O’Reilly he’s far more than just a six pack as he brings the required swagger and some strong dancing to Johnny who is the moody dance instructor at an early sixties American holiday resort. It’s no spoiler to anyone familiar with film history to reveal that privileged holidaymaker Baby falls in love with the muscled blue-collar dancer. The musical is pretty much a scene by scene recreation of the movie that at heart is a coming of age story at the end of the golden Eise...

12Jul

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Dirty Dancing – Sheffield Lyceum

Before even entering the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield, the buzz and anticipation of the crowd were palpable... With its cult following, Dirty Dancing was in town! As a fan of the 1987 film and, of course, the hip movements of Mr. Swayze himself, the majority of the female audience, like myself, were awaiting a nostalgic trip back to the feelings the film evoked when we first saw it... with more than just a little excitement! With this type of fan base, the show was always going to be a success, but with my critic hat on, the production does have its flaws. However, one of its strengths is that it doesn't take itself too seriously! So if you haven't seen the film, it basically spans a three-week period in 1963, when the Houseman's (Dr. Jake and Marjorie) and their two daughters Lisa and 1...

14Jun

By Jenn McKeanNo Comments

North West

Dirty Dancing – Liverpool Empire

You are bound to have the time of your life with this current production of Dirty Dancing. Telling the story of Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman and Johnny Castle, in the summer of 1963, Dirty Dancing is a classic and a film that pretty much every person on the planet has seen at some point in their lives. Which, in a way, makes it harder to transfer it onto the stage as authentically as possible. However, the current touring production of the show manages to do just that. Whilst some of the audience decided to treat it like a pantomime, where they pleased, the cast remained professional and the behaviour couldn’t detract from the performances on the stage. Michael O’Reilly’s Johnny Castle, was definitely the hit of the night, with the ladies in the audience. From the Patrick Swayze-style hai...

7Jun

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Dirty Dancing – Leeds Grand Theatre

‘Bloody hell’. That was the involuntary cry from the dark as the ripped Michael O’Reilly playing roughneck dancer Johnny Castle peeled off his shirt during one of the steamier scenes in this faithful stage version of the cult classic movie. Like The Shawshank Redemption the celluloid version of Dirty Dancing was a box office flop, but this little B-movie earned cult status playing endlessly on digital TV making it perfect for the stage. And Eleanor Bergstein’s book of her original screenplay has very wisely kept the live version pretty much scene for scene to the delight of a crowd really up for enjoying a cultural icon that has real meaning for them. In truth the romance between working class Johnny and privileged New York teenager Baby is the classic rite of passage piece, with ...

Dirty Dancing – Palace Theatre, Manchester

31May

By Alison BainesNo Comments

North West

Dirty Dancing – Palace Theatre, Manchester

One of the most loved films of the 80’s and even now, Dirty Dancing has charmed viewers for many years - but can the stage show have the same effect? Taking us back to 1963 in the quaint holiday village of Kellerman’s, Francis ‘Baby’ Houseman is on a family vacation when she meets dance instructor Johnny Castle. Baby is thrown into a world she’s been shielded from, as daddy’s little girl sees her life change forever as she becomes Johnny’s leading lady on and off the dancefloor. The pair of Kira Malou as Baby and Michael O’Reilly as Johnny pay the perfect homage to the original couple played so iconically by Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze, whilst still bringing their own flavour and panache to the roles. The audience swoons for O’Reilly, just as much as Baby does throughout as he s...

Dirty Dancing in Concert- Eventim Apollo

20May

By Khushboo ShahNo Comments

London

Dirty Dancing in Concert- Eventim Apollo

The timeless classic, Dirty Dancing, hit the cinema screen once again celebrating the film’s 35th anniversary at Eventim Apollo on 19 May 2022. But this time, it returned with a powerful live band to give the audience ‘the time of their lives…’ Written by Eleanor Bergstein and directed by Emile Ardolino, starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, the 1987 summer romance was brought to life by Lionsgate, TEG MJR, GEA Live and the producer of the stage musical version of the film, Karl Sydow. The audience cheered as the concert performers took centre stage and started their rendition of ‘Be my Baby…’ while the opening credits played on the screen. Set in Catskills resort in the summer of 1963, the film portrays the summer romance of Baby Houseman (Jennifer Grey) and Johnny (Patrick Swayze...

Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage – Dominion Theatre

9Feb

By Samantha CollettNo Comments

London

Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage – Dominion Theatre

It’s hard to believe it’s been 35 years since Dirty Dancing first hit our screens, but the nostalgia stakes are high when it comes to this theatrical production of the iconic American romantic drama dance film. ‘Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage’, is, I am pleased to report, rather faithful to the original film. It features the original dialogue and script by Eleanor Bergstein and the much-loved songs and dances every Dirty Dancing fan will expect and appreciate. Set in 1963, the story is a triumphant tale of young love. Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman (Kira Malou) is on holiday with her parents at the upscale Kellerman’s resort, when she falls in love with a dance instructor, Johnny Castle (Michael O’Reilly). Photo: Mark Senior Beneath the polished veneer of all things respect...

20Oct

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Dirty Dancing – Hull New Theatre

Bloomin’ ‘eck! Michael O’Reilly, you have left me speechless. Let me explain. This fine figure of a man (nah, change that to sex on legs), is one of the stars of Dirty Dancing and it was mainly his actions on the stage of the packed Hull New Theatre on Tuesday night that left us in the spellbound audience shouting for more. O’Reilly plays the part of dancer Johnny Castle, a role made famous by Patrick Swayze in the 1987 movie of the same name. And he certainly does the role justice. All the action takes place at Kellerman’s Resort in the US. It’s the summer of 1963 and Frances “Baby” Houseman (Kira Malou) is on holiday there with her family. This innocent teen soon finds herself drawn into a world very different from the one she has been brought up in. Dancing to the resort ...