From the writers, producers and directors who brought you Dreamboats and Petticoats. Save the Last Dance for Me will take you back through the 'music and magic' of the early 60's, a time when each passing week brought another Rock 'n' Roll classic. Read more …
This nostalgic, feel-good musical journey will transport you back to music's golden era as we follow two teenage sisters, Jennifer and Marie, through the summer of 1963. Full of freedom and high spirits they embark on a family holiday to the coast and a traditional seaside town. The young siblings soon discover much more than just sea and sand when they meet a handsome American airman, who invites them to a dance at the nearby United States Air force base. But young love and holiday romance is never that simple and the sisters soon realise that while the world around them is still watching itself in black and white, life and love can be much more colourful.
Marks and Gran’s plot is surprisingly lacking in emotional intensity, especially as much of the story deals with such contentious issues as race and sex...Ultimately, this is a jukebox musical where the songs are the stars and directors Bill Kenwright and Keith Strachan ensure they are treated with the respect they deserve.
Driven by the irresistible ear-candy of two-and-a-half minute pop songs, this is enthusiastic stuff. The book by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran – responsible for Dreamcoats and Petticoats - skips from one tune to the next with hardly a pause for breath between...A large young cast give this an added oomph.
Things have progressed from a strong early urge to hunt down those responsible, through guilty pleasure to just about fun.
Alongside the music, though, this show also offers some thoughtful reflections on racism in Britain and America half a century ago, and on the spirit of an age that set out to conquer it.
If you’re of a certain age, you’ll love Save the Last Dance, as it takes you back to your youth. If you’re younger, it’ll have you wishing you were there.
Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh from Monday January 30, 2012, until Saturday February 4, 2012. More info: www.edinburghplayhouse.org.uk
King's Theatre, Glasgow from Monday March 5, 2012, until Saturday March 10, 2012. More info: www.theambassadors.com/kings/
His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen from Monday February 11, 2013, until Saturday February 16, 2013. More info: www.hmtaberdeen.com
King's Theatre, Edinburgh from Monday February 18, 2013, until Saturday February 23, 2013. More info: http://www.edtheatres.com/kings
RSS feed of Theatre reviews