Theatre Review: Dirty Dancing - Edinburgh Playhouse ✭✭
Review by Graeme Shield
Dirty Dancing, the popular 1987 movie, has a big
place in pop culture and an even bigger following of fans. Who can fail to have the time of their life
as “Baby” (Katie Eccles) and her family arrive at Kellerman’s summer
resort, where she meets the rebellious dancer Johnny Castle (Lewis Griffiths). How do you know he’s a rebel? Well, he… flips trays and … looks after women!
Gasp!
The stage tour offers little more than a slavish recreation
of the movie - warts and all. The trouble is that in keeping so close to the
original film, the production doesn’t suit the form in which it’s being
presented - theatre.
While Gillian Bruce’s choreography is delightfully
nimble, the training montages seem stretched out and cumbersome. Director Federico Bellone uses
projection to poor effect - best evidenced when Johnny & Baby are driving
what appears to be a miniature car down a massive road - and poor scene
transitions rob the show of any dramatic tension whatsoever.
Stripped of the opportunity to excel in any area, the
hardworking cast are left floundering. The extremely capable Griffiths
& Eccles try hard to inject meaning into their characters but
ultimately the book’s reverence for the movie lets them both down. The only
character afforded any slim sense of development is that of Penny, which was
excellently realised by Carlie Milner.
Having said all this, the audience - undoubtedly filled with Dirty
Dancing fans - enjoyed watching their favourite movie scenes recreated.
Wisely the show (to use a gambling term) doesn’t blow it’s wad too early and
the sensational lift and final moments of the show are indeed it’s most
thrilling.
If you’re of the opinion that Dirty Dancing is one of
the best movies ever, then you should ignore this review and go and see it
anyway. All your favourite moments are here, including the songs ‘Hungry
Eyes’, ‘She’s Like The Wind’, ‘Hey Baby’ and ‘(I’ve Had)
The Time of My Life’.
Dirty Dancing is at the Edinburgh Playhouse until 17th June. For tickets and information visit the Edinburgh Playhouse website.
