Dirty Dancing, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre - review
“That was the summer of 1963 - when everybody called me Baby, and it didn’t occur to me to mind.”
Jennifer Grey’s opening line from cult classic Dirty Dancing, as she travels with her family to Kellerman’s, sounded just as good when Kira Malou brought Frances “Baby” Houseman to life on the stage.
With a single spotlight beaming over her petite frame, Malou launched into her endearing performance of the lovable lead role as the predominately female audience watched on at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. Her scattered comedic moments were on point, smoothly taking the audience through her journey from daddy’s girl to inspiring young woman.
Raunchy dips, snake hips and of course, watermelons, followed as the troupe of performers seductively swayed across the stage.
Michael O’Reilly had the almost daunting task of filling the very big boots of Patrick Swayze, who played dance teacher Johnny Castle in the 1987 flick. It might be difficult for anyone to match Swayze’s charm and sensual moves, but O’Reilly gave it a good shot. Ripping of his shirt to reveal his chiselled chest also seemed to help the swooning ladies in the crowd.
But one of the stand-out performances of the night undeniably came from Simone Covele, who effortlessly twisted and twirled as dance instructor Penny Johnson. Her confident dancing was simply stunning, while her emotional scenes certainly grabbed the attention of the crowd.
The choreography was mesmorising, the on-stage chemistry unquestionable and maybe, most important of all, that final iconic lift was simply enchanting. It oozed sex appeal, passion, romance and of course, lots of dirty dancing.