Dirty Daning Review

Dirty Dancing—The Classic Tale on Stage
Princess Theatre
By Janice ChernLi Teo

It is as if time has stood still. Yet nearly two decades have passed since thousands of spotty teenagers all around the world fell in love with the 1987 classic tale, Dirty Dancing. Now the era of hot pants is back because Dirty Dancing—The Classic Tale on Stage has come to Melbourne after its World Premiere in Sydney.

The all-Australian cast usually features Kym Valentine (of Neighbours fame) as the angelically naïve Frances “Baby” Houseman. However the Wednesday matinee was played by understudy Sarah Bowden. Meanwhile, Josef Brown from the Australian Ballet plays the irresistibly charismatic Johnny Castle.

It is the summer of 1963 when Baby arrives at Kellerman’s resort to spend the summer with her family. The long idle days soon become packed with excitement as Baby discovers the staff quarters and meets dance instructor Johnny Castle and his risqué world of dance. When Baby is forced to learn to dance in order to appear in a performance alongside Johnny, their passion for each other builds as he welcomes her into the world of sensual dirty dancing.

Hardcore fans will be pleased to know that the live version closely mimics the film, from Baby’s unruly curls to Johnny’s tight black denims. There were audible sighs of nostalgia whenever classic lines such as “nobody puts Baby in a corner” were said.

However, some of the acting and line delivery seemed forced and unnatural. The choreography fails to impress an audience, twenty years on. This production does not have any sets. Instead, backdrops are projected onto screens behind the actors. Unfortunately, this use of technology tends to contradict the times—after all, the story unfolds in a period where music is still recorded on vinyl.

Music remains the uplifting feature of this production as the live Show Band blasted out pulse-pumping 80s music and the Academy Award for Best Song, Time of My Life.

Dirty Dancing—The Classic Tale on Stage is showing at the Princess Theatre until October 29.