stage adaptation of dirty dancing heads to brighton
The stage production of the beloved 1987 Hollywood romantic drama Dirty Dancing, Dirty Dancing — The Classic Story on Stage, will hit the Theatre Royal Brighton in early September, and there is plenty for local theatre buffs to get excited about.
Believe it or not, Dirty Dancing almost didn’t get made. Writer Eleanor Bergstein was rejected by several film studios before finding a home with Vestron Pictures, which took a considerable risk on the script considering it was their first-ever feature film, and it was never expected to be a huge hit. Having been given a budget of just $5 million (half of the average Hollywood film budget at the time), it brought in over $214 million at the box office.
Well, the rest, as they say, is history because it went on to become one of the most famous and popular romantic dramas of all time. Its legacy has endured for many years, and there was a prequel filmed and released in 2004 called Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. It even got a full remake in 2017, even though it didn’t have as big an impact as the original.
Its influence has extended into the gaming sphere, too, with games like Dirty Dancing: The Boardgame, as well as an official Dirty Dancing video game that was released in 2007. Even the iGaming industry has been inspired by the film as there is a slot game of the same name powered by Playtech, and many of the best online casino sites in the UK feature their games in the listings.
Dirty Dancing is a film with a tonne of pedigree, and the classic story on stage does a beautiful job of creating a unique new experience while loyally sticking to the themes and story of the movie that will keep long-time fans satisfied while also providing a whole new experience that anyone can enjoy.
The story is set in the summer of 1963 where teenager Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman, having little interest in the usual family activities offered by the resort, goes off to find her own entertainment and bumps into a dance instructor that she then falls madly in love with. Much to the chagrin of her father. It is a classic coming-of-age tale that stands the test of time, all set to a beautiful soundtrack and some incredible dance moves.
The stage adaptation does an incredible job of replicating every major scene from the movie with some ingenious set design that allows for some quick changes of some very complicated backdrops and scenery.
But even though the stage production features 35 foot-tapping tunes, it’s not considered a musical in the traditional sense of the word because most of the musical numbers are recorded and not performed live. However, all of the pop classics from ‘Hungry Eyes‘ to ‘Hey Baby, Do You Love Me’ and even the unforgettable and eternal ‘(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life’ are all included.
After a delay (thanks, Covid), the show will hit the stage at the Theatre Royal Brighton from 7th — 11th September and is an unmissable event for fans of music, dancing, the original Dirty Dancing film or anyone who enjoys a good romantic drama.
Since its debut in 2004, Dirty Dancing The Classic Story On Stage has become almost as famous as the film it was based on and has had stage productions all over the world in multiple different languages in countries as different and diverse as Germany, South Africa, Hong Kong, and Sweden and New Zealand.
7th to 11th September 2021; from £13
Theatre Royal Brighton
New Road, Brighton BN1 1SD
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