Review: Dirty Dancing | Mother Goose | Cinderella

As the festive season comes to a close, bear a thought for the cast and crews who kept holiday audiences entertained. There’s still a chance to catch some of the best shows before they close. Here are three to check.

Dirty Dancing - Edinburgh Playhouse *****

IF you liked the film, you’ll love the stage version of Dirty Dancing. It opens with an almost bare stage - just a dansette record player lit by a spotlight, but within minutes transforms into a high energy celebration of video projection, fast costume changes, sensual dancing and youthful exuberance.

This Dirty Dancing is a five star ‘jaw-dropping feast for the eyes’, as Evening News reviewer Drew McAdam reported.

For those unfamiliar with the film, Johnny Castle (Paul-Michael Jones) is teaching Baby (Jill Winternitz) to dance. They fall in love. When obstacles are put in their way, we soon discover that “nobody puts Baby in the corner”.

And of course the evening culminates in that famous ‘lift’ scene. Don’t miss it.

The Playhouse, Greenside Place, until January 12, various times, £19.50-£75, 0844-871 3014

Mother Goose - The King’s ****

IT’S the longest running panto in these parts. This year, regulars Andy Gray, Allan Stewart and Grant Stott tell the story of Mother Goose, who, thanks to her vanity, must set out on a quest to rescue Priscilla, her gold egg-laying pet goose.

The set-up is simple. The impoverished village of Lochforest is finding it hard to pay the rent to the uppity Squire McFerret. However, with the help of the young and hip Fairy McSquirrell-Smyth, Mother Goose receives a payday when her goose learns how to lay golden eggs. But all is not as it seems. The conniving Demon Vanity holds a deep hatred for Mother Goose.

As Evening News reviewer Thom Louis reported: ‘Allan Stewart provides a textbook panto dame performance as Mother Goose, cramming more fun into his bursting dress than should be possible.’

The King’s, Leven Street, until January 20, various times, £12.50-£26.50, 0131-529 6000

Cinderella - Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline *****

THE classic tale of Cinderella is told with a twist over in the Kingdom of Fife this year. Starring Still Game’s Isa, actress Jane McCarry, Taggart’s Colin McCredie and local panto favourite Arron Usher as Buttons, the show runs until Sunday with all remaining January tickets only £7.50 when booked booked via Alhambra Theatre box office.

As Evening News reviewer Drew McAdam reported: ‘...it’s wonderful to see a pantomime delivering everything that it should. It is exactly like watching a huge cartoon, with all the colour and energy that invokes, coming alive before your very eyes.’

Alhambra Theatre, Canmore Street, Dunfermline, until Sunday, 1pm & 7pm, £7.50, 01383-740 384