Dirty Dancing at Liverpool Empire Theatre Review

 

I am a massive fan of Dirty Dancing so when I found out the stage show was touring, I just had to get myself a ticket. I was also quite intrigued as to how they would adapt the famous movie in to a successful and entertaining stage production.

So yesterday (Wednesday 8th April) me and my mum had a mother-daughter day and off we went to see the show in Liverpool and what a show it was!

This is not so much a musical but instead an exact recreation of the 1980s film; there’s plenty of dirty rock n roll dancing, those famous lines (Nobody puts Baby in a corner) and of course the hit-classic ‘The Time of My Life’. For Dirty Dancing fans, nothing gets much better than this.

For those of you who do not know the story (have you been living under a rock?!), Dirty Dancing is set in early 1960s America and revolves around Baby, a young and innocent woman who wants to change the world. She’s a daddy’s girl and could do nothing wrong in his eyes, that is of course until they go on a summer holiday and she meets the wild and edgy dance instructor, Johnny Castle, who shows her that life isn’t so perfect after all. This is very much a coming of age film and explores the loss of innocence along the way.

As soon as the curtain was raised, this was very much a feel good show; the music was blaring, everyone was dancing and the the atmosphere was uplifted. The whole cast had some incredible moves, particularly Claire Rogers who plays Penny. I developed complete dance envy watching the cast dance around as if it was the easiest thing to do ever.

But of course, the best part of the show was when Johnny comes storming on to the stage, throws his rucksack in the corner, marches up to Baby and says the lines that everyone has been waiting for; “Nobody puts Baby in a corner.” I have never heard the audience in a theatre cheer so loud in my life. Then off they march to the talent contest stage and there they perform the all famous Dirty Dancing dance. And when they do the lift (you know the one) at the front centre stage the whole theatre came to life with screams, cheers and whistles. And the whole dance was flawless from start to finish.

Now in my eyes, nobody gets better than Patrick Swayze but Gareth Bailey had a pretty good go. The chemistry between him and Roseanna Frascona was brilliant and they really brought the character to life.

If you want a feel-good show for a girls night out, I highly recommend you book a ticket to Dirty Dancing while you still can. Dirty Dancing is touring at Liverpool Empire Theatre now until 25th April 2015.

Overall Rating: 4/5

Mamma Mia! at Liverpool Empire Theatre Review

This weekend (Saturday 7th March) I went to see the 2.30 afternoon performance of the hit musical, ‘Mamma Mia!’, at the Liverpool Empire Theatre. I have been waiting since 2008 (when the film adaptation was released) to see it and so was extremely excited to be able to finally get the chance to see it live on stage. After 8 long anticipated years, ‘Mamma Mia!’ has come to Liverpool for the first time ever.

‘Mamma Mia!’ is a phenomenal musical with 22 classic ABBA hits included. The story is based around 20 year old Sophie (Niamh Perry) who is getting married and wants to be given away by her father on her wedding day. The only problem is she has no clue who that is! After reading her mum’s diary from the year she was born, she invites 3 men who all could potentially be her father.

The stage version of ‘Mamma Mia!’ is lively, energetic and most of all, fun. It is hard not to love this musical (who doesn’t love Abba, right?!) and you will find yourself singing and dancing to yourself in your chair on several occasions. This is the most fun I’ve had at the theatre for a very long time (and I have seen many shows over my years).

The only problem I found with this stage production of ‘Mamma Mia’ was that because the film version was so impressive, it was hard to live up to its standards. With a cast like Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Meryl Streep and Julie Walters, it was never going to be as good but that doesn’t mean is wasn’t brilliant, funny and engaging in its own rights. Shobna Gulati and Sue Devaney made a great pair as Tanya and Rosie and brought some great slapstick comedy moments to the show but I was particularity overwhelmed by Sara Poyzer who made a great Donna. Her character seemed believable, whilst still being about to bring humour to the show.  I also loved her singing; she has a very powerful voice and brought the famous ABBA songs to life (especially her version of ‘The Winner Takes It All’).

Potential dad’s Harry Bright (Mark Jardine), Bill Austin (Micheal Beckley) and Sam Carmicheal (Richard Standing) also bring humour to the show, with Mark Jardine giving Colin Firth a run for his money as his version of Harry Bright.

And can we please take a moment to appreciate Justin Thomas who plays husband-to-be, Sky?! Wow! I don’t think I have ever quite seen a body like it. If that isn’t reason enough to go and see this show, I don’t know what is. When he stripped down to just his swim trunks during one scene, I thought the whole theatre was going to rush and attack him on stage. I have never heard the audience in a theatre go so wild before. And I was pretty close to the front so I got a very good view of those amazing biceps and six pack.

This is a musical full of flares, platform shoes and bright colours. This show will take you all the way back to the 70s. If you’re looking for a fun, feel good show then this is the one for you.

Overall Rating: 4/5