Dirty Dancing Review

Overall Rating

Stage effects were quite good as were the singers.

Lacked vitality, dancing often didn't link with music being played.

My friend and I went to see the matinee performance of Dirty Dancing on 27th Feb. We both felt rather let down and whilst there were some good aspects to the show, on the whole it was lacking vitality, a major component of the film which made it so successful. The first major dance scene where Baby goes to the dirty dancing basement carrying the water melons was the worst let down. This should have set the mood for the whole show, but we were presented with dancing that resembled a ballet class where moves related in no way to the wonderful rythm of the music being played. There was also not enough people dancing to give the real party atmosphere needed. Many of music tracks from the film were not played and those that were were frequently interupted. I thought we would be dancing along with the show, but none of the audience seemed compelled to do so. The finale was much better with greater vitality to which the audience responded. It was a pity we had to sit through a lot of dull, bad acting before we got there, although the girl playing Lisa, Baby's sister, was a joy. The film, although owing much to Patrick Swayze, was successful because of the great music and hot, steamy dancing with great atmosphere. I think the show's director needs to see the film again and try to put some of that atmoshere back into the show.
BP