Theatre review: Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage
Wales Millennium Centre
★★★★★
Nobody puts Baby in a corner – and judging by the reaction at the Wales Millennium Centre, nobody was going to keep this audience in their seats either.
Dirty Dancing brings the iconic film roaring back to life in a production packed with nostalgia, sensational dancing, powerhouse vocals and enough familiar moments to give fans goosebumps from beginning to end.
From the instant the unmistakable beat of Be My Baby filled the theatre, we were transported straight into the world of Dirty Dancing. It was one of those spine-tingling moments when the hairs on your arms stand up. Suddenly, we were back at Kellerman’s in the summer of 1963, surrounded by holidaymakers, dance lessons, romance and some of the most recognisable music in cinema history.
The production captures both the early-60s setting and the atmosphere of the Kellerman’s holiday resort beautifully. The set is relatively simple, but effective, allowing the story to move quickly from scene to scene, while clever lighting helps create the changing moods of the show. Some of the more ambitious staging doesn’t work quite as well – the famous water scene, where Johnny teaches Baby the lift, could have been more convincing – but these are minor shortcomings in a production that otherwise knows exactly what its audience has come to see.
And what we have come to see, of course, is Johnny and Baby.
Charlie Varley’s Baby grows before our eyes. Initially sweet, cute and deliberately awkward, her performance becomes stronger as Baby herself gains confidence. Her transformation from shy teenager to assured young woman feels natural, and the intimacy between Baby and Johnny is believable without ever overwhelming the story.
Fans will delight in seeing so many beloved moments recreated, including the famous “I carried a watermelon” scene, which earns exactly the affectionate laughter you would expect. Even the costumes feel as though they have stepped directly out of the movie.
Johnny, meanwhile, is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the show. His dancing is sensational – athletic, controlled, hot and steamy – and he commands the stage whenever he appears. The choreography demands enormous stamina, but the energy never seems to dip. Most importantly, the chemistry and intimacy between Johnny and Baby work, making their developing relationship convincing.
The Hungry Eyes sequence is another reminder of just how closely this production understands what audiences love about the film: the movement, the tension and those instantly recognisable musical cues all come together beautifully.
There are scene-stealing performances elsewhere, too. Tito Suarez as Robert, the singer of the band, is wonderfully charismatic, combining fantastic vocals and slick moves with an effortless sense of comedy.
Penny is equally impressive. Her dancing is sublime – glamorous, steamy and technically superb – and at times she feels like a dead ringer for the character we remember from the movie.
India Chadwick as Lisa provides some of the evening’s biggest laughs. Her gloriously funny rendition of the infamous Hula Hana is every bit as hilarious as fans will hope, and she embraces the character’s comic moments brilliantly.
One of the production’s greatest strengths is its music. The live musicians remain a presence throughout the show, helping carry us from one scene to the next and giving the production an infectious energy. The ensemble is excellent too, with strong vocals and choreography that recreates the distinctive moves of the film while still feeling thrilling on stage.
But special mention has to go to Billy Kostecki, whose vocals are simply phenomenal. Powerful, strong and full of emotion, his voice soars through the theatre and gives some of the show’s biggest musical moments an extra punch.
As the evening races towards its finale, Kellerman’s Anthem provides a memorable lead-in to the moment everyone has been waiting for.
Then it happens.
Those opening notes. That final dance. (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.
The atmosphere inside the theatre changes instantly.
By now, Baby has learned to dance, Johnny is in complete command of the stage and the entire production explodes into life. When the famous lift finally arrives, the audience goes wild. It is pure theatrical escapism – one of those joyous moments where everyone knows exactly what is coming and loves it all the more because of it.
(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life and Do You Love Me are the musical standouts, but this is a show filled with hit after hit. Every familiar song and iconic scene brings another rush of nostalgia.
What makes Dirty Dancing work on stage is that it never forgets why people still adore the film. We want the romance. We want the comedy. We want the music. We want the dancing. And, yes, we absolutely want that lift.
This production gives us all of it.
It is upbeat, funny, romantic and unapologetically steamy, with choreography that frequently feels as though the movie has come alive in front of you. You’ll laugh, you’ll get goosebumps, you’ll find your toes tapping almost constantly – and there is a good chance you’ll leave wanting to watch the film all over again.
Or, in my case, wanting to see the stage show again as soon as possible.
If you love Dirty Dancing, this is one show you really shouldn’t miss. You’ll have the time of your life.
★★★★★
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