Category Archives: Theatre Shows
Dirty Dancing: From Film to West End Theatre
The classic girl’s film Dirty Dancing has made it from film to theatre with block busting sales and awe-inspiring dance routines. It’s a must see for any girl who’s seen the film over and over again.
Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage is a story of a seventeen year old girl named Frances “Baby” Houseman. Set in the summer of the year 1963, Baby goes on vacation to the New York Catskill mountains resort with her family where the staff have all night dance party with sexy dance moves and musical rhythms and tempos that Baby hasn’t seen nor heard before. After seeing and hearing the dances and the music, Baby can’t wait to be a part of this hypnotizing scene especially after she first sets her eye on the very attractive dance instructor of the resort, Johnny Castle. There is a show at a nearby resort that Johnny and his dance partner wish to participate in but his usual dance partner is unable to participate so Johnny teaches Baby to be a better dancer as well as teaches her his sick partner’s part in the routine so that she can be the replacement. Baby and Johnny’s tempers clash but despite this a romance begins. There is a turmoil of events happening during this with Johnny’s dance parter (Penny), Johnny, Baby’s family, and Penny’s current boyfriend. The events all unfold and all lead up to a climatic ending.
The musical Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage is based on the movie Dirty Dancing that was originally released in 1987. This version of the movie, however, is a live, musical show. The live version of the show actually broke records in the UK and Germany for having advance tickets sales that were the highest in history.
In London, the show sold out for the first six months of it’s showing before it had even opened. After the musical was first performed in Sydney, Australia at the Theatre Royal it went on a national tour of New Zealand and Australia. In these two places alone it was shown for eighteen months and sold out every single time.
A new production opened in Hamburg, Germany in March of 2006 and it continues to play there to sold out crowds. This show actually just sold it’s one millionth ticket. As if all of this success wasn’t enough there was even more to come. When the show opened at London’s Aldwynch Theatre it brought in eleven million dollars in advance ticket sales. After the show’s opening night the advance ticket sales to the show increased to be even more than they already were.
There is, predictively, a lot of wonderful music in the musical. Some of the songs include This Magic Moment, Wipe Out, and the infamous song (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life. There are fifty five times in the musical where music is played with thirty times being in the first act and twenty five being in the second act.
The cast of the show includes Hannah Vassallo as Baby, Martin Harvey as Johnny Castle, Nadia Coote as Penny Johnson (Johnny’s original dance partner), and fifteen other talented actors and actresses.
The writer of the show is Eleanor Bergstein who also wrote the movie. James Powell is the director but was also an actor for twelve years and appeared in the show Les Miserables. The choreographer for the amazing dance moves for the musical is Kate Champion.
The show is said to be ‘spectacular’ (Financial Times, Alastair Macauley), ‘magnificent’ (Mail on Sunday, Georgina Brown), and ‘the biggest live theatre sensation of all time (Observer, Polly Vernon)’. The fact that is has been sold out many, many times is proof enough that the show is, in fact, sensational and a must see.
There are various performances happening March 29, 2010 through October 23, 2010 with multiple price options, assisted performances including wheelchair access, help for people who are hard of hearing, and people with guide dogs, and a premium seating option. The show is currently being shown at Aldwych Theatre in Aldwych, London.
This show is definitely a must see show so book your tickets today!
What’s Hot in the West End? A Guide to the Top London Theatre Shows
There are so many musicals, comedies and plays to see in London’s West End Theatre district but what’s hot at the moment? What are the ‘must sees’ and most in demand? This guide talks you through what everyone is talking about and why they’re so unmissable.
When visiting London, the first question you need to ask yourself if whether you want to see a musical, comedy or play and the second question which you must ask yourself is which show to attend! Anything that you could wish to see is always playing in London’s West End. Just be sure to book your tickets ahead so you don’t miss the shows.
Even if you have seen a production of a Musical in another country, London’s West End can offer you another view of the same show. Many times the productions are varied enough that the show which you saw before is barely recognizable. If a new actress or singer is in the lead role of a production, the entire experience is altered into a fantastical one which will leave you delighted time after time. So be sure to check out what is available in London’s West End and book ahead. You don’t want to miss out on the show of the season.
So what’s hot in the West End right now? Here is our Guide to the Top London Theatre Shows. There are several Plays, Comedies and Musicals which you can enjoy while visiting London. Here are some of the amazing shows which you might want to catch this season:
Adrian Grant’s “Thriller Live” which pays homage to the late Michael Jackson. It is a live production that will make you remember the best of the “King of Pop’s” greatest hits. The music is perfection and the choreography is just what is needed to make this event the show of the year. Do not miss out.
Maurine Dallas Watkins’s “Chicago” staring Ruthie Henshall, Terra C MacLeod, Ian Kelsey, David Ganley and Jasna Ivir. It is one of the hits of the season which will leave you wanting more. The choreography by Ann Reinking is stunning. The cast is flawless and the costumes will take your breath away. It is one of the best productions of “Chicago” yet to date.
When it comes to Comedy you simply must catch Jason Moore’s “Avenue Q”. It is a fun and lively comedic show which everyone has loved from the start. “Avenue Q” is hip and young and the perfect thing to catch while visiting London’s West End.
If you wish to catch a play while visiting the hippest part of London’s best, then be sure to see Stephen Daldry’s “An Inspector Calls”. It is running at the Wyndham. This production reminds one of the days when a play had a special pleasure to it. This will make an evening in London’s West End the perfect night event.
Also playing is William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”. While you might have seen it elsewhere, if you’ve never seen it in London’s West End then you haven’t seen “Twelfth Night” at all. You simply must see this wonderful production of staring Richard Wilson, James Fleet, Richard McCabe, Nancy Carroll, Alexandra Gilbreath, Jo Stone-Fewings, Sam Alexander and Miltos Yerolemou. It is wonderful and a Classic to be enjoyed. It is playing currently at Duke of York’s. London and Duke of York’s is a perfect night out for you and that someone special.
At ticket vendors online there are often special offers to be had. Be sure to ask about the reduced prices for many productions. Also remember that booking ahead can often save you not only time, but money as well. Enjoy the night in London’s West End this season for the shows that will make your Thespian Heart soar!
