‘Yes! We’re Gonna Fall in Love, and It Feels So Right’ – Dirty Dancing, Orchard Theatre, Dartford. 01.10.2018

It wasn’t long till I was back to the Orchard for my first viewing in October – as its looking like a busy one for press nights! Not that I’m complaining. Having seen this productions last year, i was looking forward to seeing it again as it is a personal favourite film of mine!

Dirty Dancing, the classic story on stage, is the live version on the 1987 film classic which starred the late Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, and Jerry Orbach. It tells the story of coming to age, 17 year old Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman who attends a holiday summer resort Kellermans along with her family. With dreams of going to university and joining the peace corps, she then meets Johnny Castle the dance teacher at the resort. They fall for each other when Baby steps in to cover for Johnny’s dance partner Penny after she falls pregnant, together they learn from each other as well as teaching those around them. It is a classic story that has been seen and loved by many, with memorable lines from ‘I carried the watermelon’ to ‘Nobody puts baby in the corner’ and uplifting music such as Love is Strange, Do You Love Me? and (I’ve Had) The Time of my Life’ I would be very surprised if you didn’t know this film.

So how does the stage version compare? True to the film the story is strong throughout, with only a few extra scenes that support a backing story to Baby’s parents and Neil Kellermans want to march down in Mississippi, I had noticed. The set was very simple yet worked well with the story, and not be too distracting with changes, however during some scenes such as the lake scene it wasn’t as effective but I can understand this, as how can you portray water on stage without it being too much? That being said the audience enjoyed it, and found the humour in the scene. I had seen the tour prior to this production 6 years ago, at the Mayflower in Southampton a bigger stage to that of the Churchill, however I felt it worked better on a smaller stage making it a lot more intimate with the audience.

The other thing is that it isn’t truly a musical at times, there are 44 songs in the whole performance 16 of which are played as the original singers of the songs, such as Cry to Me, Wipe Out, and Hungry Eyes. I loved this approach as they didn’t try to take away anything from the classic, such as having Johnny and Baby break out into song every scene. It allowed their story to be portrayed beautifully live just as it should be. Those songs that were sung by the company were mainly by 2 characters, with support from the chorus.

The cast tonight was as follows:

Francis ‘Baby’ Houseman – Kira Malou

Johnny Castle – Michael O’Reilly

Penny Johnson – Simone Covele

Tito Suarez – Colin Charles

Dr. Jake Houseman – Lynden Edwards

Mr Schumacher – Mark Faith

Marjorie Houseman – Lori Haley Fox

Max Kellerman – Jack Mckenzie

Billy Kostecki – Alex Wheeler

Lisa Houseman – Lizzie Ottley

Elizabeth – Sian Gentle-Green

Robbie Gould – Tom Bowen

Vivian Pressman  – Amelia Armstrong

Making his professional debut is Michael O’Reilly as Johnny Castle (originally played by Patrick Swayze) a character known for his charm, looks but most of all his moves! Michael clearly shows amazing talent within his dancing skills, especially during the more intimate dancing and the final memorable scene, At times however his voice seems forced, but at times shows his passion and emotion within the character, his chemistry and relationship with Baby played by Kira Malou was portrayed well within the story and you loved watching them fall in love with each scene. Kira, is a natural when it comes to playing the Role of Baby. Its one thing to be a good dancer, but to be good and play someone who can’t dance – that’s a talent in itself and Kira had the audience laughing and supporting her throughout!

Simone Covele has legs that go on forever which she showed the audience just how high they can go, her talent in dancing is unreal along with the full ensemble cast you could tell they were having a blast with every move! Accompanying the dancers were a few singers Elizabeth and Billy Kostecki played by Sian Gentle-Green and Alex Wheeler, Alex stole the audiences hearts with his beautiful rendition of ‘In the Still of the Night (I’ll Remember). he then continued to wow with his final duet with Sian in (I Had) The Time Of My Life.

One things for sure, is no matter how many times you watch the film you still love it just as much! The same goes for this show, you come away feeling just like you did the first time you watch it happy, uplifted and with a spring in your step! Dirty Dancing is a perfect girls night out, or sweet date night that all can enjoy!

Playing at the Orchard Theatre until Saturday 6th October, for all ticket information go here. It will then continue on its 2018/2019 UK tour, for all dates and venue go here.