⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life”.
It might be a song from the show but it is exactly how I can sum up tonight’s epic performance of Dirty Dancing which is currently at Alexandra Theatre until October 16th 2021.
You’ve seen the 1987 film which made Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey stars in their own right and now it is time to see the adaptation on stage which has proved to be a huge hit and is a 5-star winner for us at Small House Big Trips.
You’re transported back to the summer of 1963. Baby aka Frances Houseman (played by Kira Malou) is on holiday with her family and looking for activities to do. At just 17 years old she is excited by the concept of dance classes, mesmerised by the dancing and well… the rather handsome looking dance tutor, Johnny Castle (Michael O’Reilly) who (has the raunchiest hip movements I have ever seen) might just have caught her eye.
This is a story of love, helplessness, challenges and triumphs.
With mesmerising dancing from Carlie Milner who plays the role of Penny Johnson, Johnny’s dance partner. You can’t help but keep your eyes firmly on the stage. In awe, amazement and there was definitely a part of me, that dreamt of being able to dance like Carlie Milner. Michael O’Reilly was a firm favourite in the show and the audience often shrieked in joy at seeing a bit of Michaels flesh and perfect moves. He was sexy, captivating and a perfect choice for the role. A 2021 Patrick Swayze. Kira Malou was loveable as Baby. Her pretend bad dancing had me empathising with her. My moves are definitely like the moves she showed at the start. But it is plain to see, especially in the final section, that Kira is an incredibly talented dancer.
It is a perfect production filled with some of the classic Dirty Dancing soundtrack from artists like The Drifters, Marvin Gaye and Lesley Gore, mixed with some brilliant live score. A shout out is definitely deserved for Colin Charles as Tito Suarez who I will now forever know as ‘The Love Man’.
The choreography and dancing really steal the show. Austin Wilks makes it fast paced (faster than in the film maybe?) and it showcases the pure talent of the cast. It did not come as a surprise to see in the programme that Carlie Milner is also an assistant choreographer of the show.
A captivating and sexy piece of Musical Theatre. Full of talent from everyone on the stage.
Book your tickets here: https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/
Disclaimer: We were invited along to the press performance of the show. All thoughts and opinions are entirely our own. Photographs by the talented Mark Senior.