[Ad-gifted] As a die-hard Dirty Dancing fan, I was somewhat cautious about visiting Kellerman’s and hot stepping it back in time to the summer of ’63 at last night’s Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent. But let me tell you, I had the time of my life. Libby Dallimore reviews for Yeah Lifestyle.
Loved by fans for more than 30 years, the classic 1987 blockbuster starring Jennifer Grey and the late, great Patrick Swayze is probably everyone’s ultimate chick flick feel-good movie. A hip-swaying soundtrack and sizzling dance moves alongside a compelling coming-of-age love story – what’s not to love?
Seen by millions across the globe, this worldwide smash hit tells the story of Baby and Johnny – two fiercely independent young spirits from very different worlds, who despite all the odds, come together in spectacular heart-pounding fashion.
Despite being a huge fan I’ve never seen the stage adaptation before. I’ve attended Dirty Dancing themed events and watched the film outdoors in a faux Kellerman’s resort, I’ve even been inside Johnny’s cabin – though sadly it was just a flimsy set. But I’ve never seen the iconic love story brought to life on stage. Until now. And wow, it was everything I hoped it’d be.
There’s drama and passion aplenty with all the classic hits you’d expect like ‘Hungry Eyes‘, ‘Hey! Baby’, ‘Do You Love Me?’ and the heart-stopping ‘(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life’.
But Dirty Dancing is nothing without the dancing and thankfully, there’s plenty of it. A hardworking and overwhelmingly talented and bendy ensemble cast dances the salsa, rumba and merengue throughout the entire show, providing a resounding pulse and energy that lifts the show to new heights, even higher than Baby in the finale!
Kira Malou and Michael O’Reilly are undoubtedly the stars of the show though. The couple, who play Baby and Johnny respectively, are a real-life couple and their chemistry is absolutely sizzling. They play the tender yet fiery love story incredibly convincingly – even if their American accents aren’t quite so. Malou plays the doe-eyed teenager with giddy aplomb, while O’Reilly oozes sex appeal – the involuntary whoops when he removes his shirt were deafening as were the cheers at every iconic, recognisable sentence or moment.
Charlotte Gooch who plays Johnny’s dance partner Penny is also outstanding. Her dance training is really put on display and she moves with graceful fluidity while Georgina Castle delivers a refreshing comedic turn as Baby’s sister, Lisa Houseman. Colin Charles as Tito provides a soulful soundtrack throughout as does Lydia Sterling as Elizabeth. Callum Fitzgerald who plays toe rag Robbie is also a very believable villain.
Set in August 1963, in the same month that Martin Luther King Junior delivered his famous “I have a dream” speech, there are subplots of some very difficult themes such as racism, classism and abortion, though they don’t feel developed enough. That said, what we see are characters escaping from the real world and getting lost in dance. And for one rainy night in July, we too suspend the real world, check into Kellerman’s and just enjoy the music and dance for what it is.
This is escapism at its finest. It’s over the top, full of energy and depicts the good (the dancing), the bad (Robbie) and the ugly (Lisa’s singing) absolutely perfectly.
Cast
Michael O’Reilly (West Side Story, Leicester Curve; Matthew Bourne’s Lord of the Flies, Theatre Royal Plymouth) and Kira Malou (Fame, Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre; Penny on Mars, Disney Plus) will reprise their roles as Johnny and Baby on tour.
Completing the cast will be:
Georgia Aspinall (Penny Johnson), Jack Loy (Dr Jake Houseman), Taryn Sudding (Marjorie Sensitivity: Internal Use Houseman), Daisy Steere (Lisa Houseman), Danny Colligan (Billy Kostecki), Colin Charles (Tito Suarez), Christian James (Neil Kellerman), Mark McKerracher (Max Kellerman), Lydia Sterling (Elizabeth) with Mark Faith, Lowri Hamilton, Tyler Lotzof, Jody Zimmerman, Eva Phillips, Callum Fitzgerald, Michael Nelson, Joel Benjamin, Akeem Ellis-Hyman, Jenna Warne, Taylor Bridges, Daisy West, Aaron J Smith, Ayden Morgan and Thomas Inge.
Kellerman’s Band: Richard John (Supervising Musical Director), Morgan Burgess, Tom Parsons, Tom Mussell, Tim Wade and Gabriel Askew.
Creatives
Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage, written by Eleanor Bergstein, is directed by Federico Bellone (West Side Story, Milan; Sunset Boulevard, Milan) and choreographed by Austin Wilks (Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage, UK tour and Dominion Theatre). The creative team are completed by Costume Designer Jennifer Irwin, Lighting Designer Valerio
Tiberi, Sound Designer Chris Whybrow, Music Supervisor Conrad Helfrich and Supervising Musical Director Richard John.
Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage is produced by Karl Sydow in association with Lionsgate and Magic Hour Productions.
How much are the tickets?
Tickets are priced from £13 to £72.02. For Groups (10 or more) & Schools bookings, call their dedicated
Groups team on 020 7206 1174 or email groupsales@atgtickets.com
How do I book tickets to watch Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage?
Tickets are now on sale and available from the Box Office, by calling 0844 871 7615 or by visiting ATG’s website here.
How long is the show for and what are the timings?
The show will run until Saturday, 8 July 2023. The shows will be performed at the following times:
Where is The Regent Theatre in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent?
Piccadilly
Stoke-on-Trent
ST1 1AP
Tel: 08448717649
About Regent Theatre
The Regent Theatre is a theatre in Stoke-on-Trent, England. Constructed in 1929 as a cinema, it is one of several theatres in the city centre and one of two owned by the Ambassador Theatre Group. The building was converted for full-time use as a theatre in 1999, and since then has hosted a number of shows and musicals. The theatre is also the northern base for the Glyndebourne Touring Opera.
Tips / Information
- Masks and Covid passes are not mandatory in the Theatre at the moment
- Ample public car park spaces are available near to the Regent Theatre. The nearby John Street car park is the closest and it closes at 11.30pm while the Pottery Centre carpark charges a fixed rate of £1.50 (after 6pm) and this carpark closes at 12am (midnight)
- Accessibility: On arrival at the theatre there are nine steps leading from the front doors to the foyer. There is a small lift suitable for wheelchairs and buggies
- There is lift access to all levels from the foyer (with an audible announcer)
- There is an infra-red sound enhancement system in the auditorium
- Guide, hearing and other working dogs are welcome in all parts of the theatre, and water is provided for them on request
- Accessible toilets are available
You may also want to read this:
Review: THE KING AND I at The Regent Theatre in Hanley
Review: Titanic The Musical at The Regent Theatre
Review: Heathers The Musical at The Regent Theatre
Photo Credit: Regent Theatre/Mark Senior
* We were provided with press tickets in exchange for a review. All opinions are our own.
26 comments
This is one of my favourite films and have watched it so many times and often quote from the film. A friend saw the stage show and said it was amazing I will get there one day
So glad to hear that. Yes it was just amazing!
I’ve seen Dirty Dancing the movie a long time ago and loved it! I would love to see it on stage, that would be amazing…
Hope you did get the chance to see it live
What a great review on this cool musical! I have to check this out. I love all the fun dancing. This looks like a wonderful musical.
Yes it was such a fun evening out and what a show as well. The dance moves were just superb
Dirty Dancing really is such a classic, right. They cast the main characters well, they look so similar to the “originals”.
Exactly and the cast is so talented, well worth a watch
The post highlights the talented cast, energetic performances, and captivating dance sequences that bring the story to life on stage.
Yes absolutely, those were the highlights
Dirty Dancing movie is the best. I’d love to see this performance in person. I’m sure I will enjoy this show.
I am sure you would enjoy it as much as we did
Im so glad Im not late for this show. I would love to see it.
Hope you did catch it
I’ve never seen this show before believe it or not but I’ve heard so much about it. And I think everyone knows the iconic dance scene…I think seeing it live is such a special experience.
Yes nothing prepares you to see it live, such an experience
I’ve seen the movie and I bet the stage play is great! Would love to see it in real live action!
Yes the play was as good as the movie
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your review of “Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage.” Your enthusiasm for the show and its talented cast shines through in your engaging descriptions. The incorporation of personal experiences and comparisons to the film adds depth to your review. I appreciate the additional information provided, such as ticket pricing and accessibility details. Great job in capturing the excitement and energy of the production!
Thank you for your lovely comment, yes I enjoyed it very much
The main characters kind of look like the movie characters. I bet this would be great to see.
Yes it was fantastic to watch it, I had a great evening
I would love to attend this show. My favorite musicals are musicals with high production values.
Agree, and this is such a good show with great cast and set
That’s a very detailed review about the show. I would love to watch this show.
Thank you, hope you get the chance