Press Tickets
If you know me, you’ll know how much I love the film Dirty Dancing. It’s one of those films I have watched more often than I care to share, and I probably know the lines better than is socially acceptable. I actually went to see Dirty Dancing on stage last time it was at Bournemouth, prior to covid, so I was really excited when I heard that it was back for the week at the Bournemouth Pavilion. I was very kindly gifted tickets for me and my plus one so that I could write this review and share my thoughts for those considering going along and I took my aunt, who is as big a fan of the story as I am. It was such a nice girly evening (let’s be honest, the audience is made up of around 90% women), starting with a glass of wine at the bar whilst we took a look through the programme to read up on the cast and crew (there are some really talented actors and dancers involved with the production).
The show itself was incredible. If you are a fan of the film, you will notice that they stay true to the script of the film throughout most of the show, only adding in a couple of additional scenes and shortening some to make sure that it doesn’t overrun.
I loved how the cast brought the story to life on the stage. Having studied theatre studies to A Level and attending a stage school as a child, I found it fascinating how the combination of clever set design, lighting, sound effects and obviously the talented cast transported you to a summer in the sixties effortlessly.
I especially liked the parts where Johnny and Baby are dancing in the forest and the water – tricky scenes to capture on stage but well managed. I also thought that the way they handled ‘those’ bedroom scenes was tasteful whilst still managing to keep that passion, that we’ve seen on film, alive – at the end of the first act the audience needed some fresh air!
The dance numbers were all done amazingly, it took everything the audience had not to get up and join the cast on the stage by the end – we just about managed it though… It was high energy throughout, whilst covering some really important, powerful and impactful topics along the way including obviously unwanted pregnancy but also racism, which included some additional scenes, which helped to bring awareness and a back story that the film was lacking in places.
There was also more of a story given to Baby’s mum, although I am not sure I liked how this was done as I ended up not liking the character very much, whereas before there was just indifference (fans of the film will know what I mean).
I really loved our night watching Dirty Dancing in Bournemouth last night and would 100% recommend a visit whilst it is on stage here this week. You can still get tickets online, and it’s a fun way to spend a summer’s evening down by the sea.
Tickets were kindly gifted for the purpose of review, however all words are my own.
