The Dirty Dancing stage cast deliver a enthralling performance in technicality, emotion and all around entertainment at the Liverpool Empire.
The onstage adaption is always best taken with a pinch of salt when compared to the silver screen adaptation but the cast delivered on the emotion, impact, and gravity of key moments the narrative demands.
The start of the programme feels a little sluggish with nothing really kicking off until - what is at least alluded to - Penny discovers she’s pregnant. From here, the story and characters suddenly have a wealth of depth as the introductory dance performances make way for relationship building that brings the cast alive.
READ MORE: Overlooked again, it's time Merseyside's restaurants are properly appreciated
Suddenly, you’re enthralled with the leads - Michael O’Reilley, as Johnny Castle, and Kira Malou, who plays Baby - especially in earlier scenes where they navigate the dance floor. The playfully embarrassing misteps in Baby’s journey to becoming a dancer are backed with the odd injections of humour; noticeable enough that to keep the audience engaged with laughter but subtle enough to keep the show from feeling like a pantomime.
All of the classic moments that transcend cinema into pop culture were hit wonderfully to deliver for those wanting to at least enjoy the show at a surface level. The initial kiss between Johnny and Baby to what is arguably one of the most famous scenes in history - the lift to Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes’ (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life - were all performed with zero criticism.
The Dirty Dancing stage show acts as a gateway drug into the theatre that delivers on all fronts, both technically, musically, and with regards to keeping the audience engaged mentally.
Special note has to be given to Lydia Sterling, the actress portraying Elizabeth, who appears in total for less than 10 minutes or so but warrants a stand alone appreciation for her performance.
Elizabeth was specifically created for the stage to tie the narrative through song and while she has no leading moments, she steals the show without even being classed as a background character.
Her belting performances stand out from the rest of the band in what feels like a Tony award winning showcase. Her vocals take the breath out of the room and, backed with an already extremely talented cast, push the show all the more of the edge of incredible.
Dirty Dancing runs at the Liverpool Empire from June 13- June 17
READ NEXT:
All the mini golf courses across Merseyside
England’s first-ever drive-thru Chinese takeaway opening 40 minutes from Liverpool
