Dirty Dancing

Palace Theatre

Johnny Castle and Baby are about to kiss.

The music’s playing and the rain outside is pouring during the tenderest of moments when one audience member contributes their own addition to the scene - by shouting ‘get your top off’.

This could only be Dirty Dancing.

And this was Manchester’s take on it – where it’s very much about audience participation.

On its first national tour, the stage version of the 80s classic receives a glowing reception from the Palace’s mostly female crowd who whoop, wolf-whistle, cheer the night away, before finally giving the players a standing ovation.

And so they should – this coming of age story of Baby and her bad boy beau is well told.

It could almost be seen as an extended cut of the Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey original, with additional scenes telling you more about the other characters, comic performances which are funnier than the film like Lisa’s hula song and the bonus of live musicians and singers who have a fresh take on the famous soundtrack.

Scenes you would imagine would be difficult to translate to the stage such as the water lift also work thanks to a clever, constantly shifting set made up of revolving floors, see through screens and projected images.

The main players, Paul Michael-Jones and Emily Holt are a match for the original pairing both with their dancing and acting skills, even managing to retain straight faces while the crowd seemingly bussed straight off the set of Loose Women demand a strip show.

If you despised the film or hate anything girly you will probably hate this production.

But for its fanbase – which seems to be thriving in this city – it promises a fun-packed night out without having to spend a fortune on a train ticket to the capital.

Bethan Dorsett

Until January 7, 2012. Tickets £19.50 - £52.50. Call 0844 871 7660 or visit manchesterpalace.org.uk

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