Dirty Dancing

Actress Nicola Raby shimmies down to the Aldwych and has the time of her life.

The film Dirty Dancing has been a friend on a stormy Sunday afternoon, a sparkle of hope when teenage boys ‘just don’t understand’ and a learning, sharing experience at a rowdy girlie sleepover.

And now the long awaited stage version has finally arrived in London’s West End.

But despite about 80 per cent of the audience barely out of nappies when the film was first released in 1987, in the Aldwych on Saturday every word and every step was remembered and cherished.

The classic love-story story set during the summer of 1963 stands the test of time: the Housemans take their vacation to a popular holiday camp where the youngest daughter ‘Baby” ( played by Georgina Rich ) meets bad-boy dance teacher Johnny ( played by Josef  Brown.)

So begins this coming of age, love-conquering –all dance adventure, which the audience ( packed with gaggles of fairy - winged hens;  bus loads of day trippers, and considerate boyfriends treating their girlfriends’ to a birthday surprise ) lapped up.

Wolf whistles, lip syncing, and shoulder shimmying filled the theatre : I’m sure if space permitted, a circle would have been formed around a pile of patent leather handbags.

This production is a fan’s dream as every aspect of the film is replicated beautifully.

Clever use of a revolving stage allows us to be guests at  the holiday resort, spectators of the hotel’s outdoor pursuits and become another sweaty body in a dance scene.

We experience Johnny’s car driving into the sunset during ‘She’s Like the Wind’and white jean shorts mambo-ing up the stairs.

And  famous lines including ‘Nobody puts Baby in the corner’ are enthusiastically echoed by the audience in hilarious pantomime fashion.
The dancing ( choreographed by Kate Champion) is extraordinary and the performances -  especially Georgina Rich -  are exceptional. In fact  the interpretations are so similar that you could be watching Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze -  the leads from the ‘87 film. But that is just what this audience wanted.

This show is ultimately for fans, so if you are one of the die-hards I suggest you find your watermelon, knot your crop top and get ready to have the time of your life.

At the Aldwych Theatre, Aldwych, London, WC2B 4DF

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