Dark nights. Frost. Festive shopping chaos. Well, my advice is simple...take time off and have the time of your life. See the musical Dirty Dancing. You won't regret it.
The iconic movie had pulses racing all those years ago. Now, with style, panache, Dirty Dancing has come to the stage, and it works wonderfully well. It's true this is a sensual offering. But even with a lorra lorra lovin' before our very eyes,it never oversteps the mark.
The story is set in America before Kennedy is shot and before the Beatles make it to No 1. There are lots of familiar popular songs of the era but the hit "I've had the time of my life" is magnificently fitting as the show climaxes. Quite literally, the audience went wild.
It's a simple story - the daughter of a well-to-do family falls for one an hotel's dancer who is just a little on the rough side. Once again, class rears its ugly head when love comes to call. Stepping into Patrick  Swayze's shoes is Rochdale's Paul Michael Jones, whose quality of dance and stage presence are thrilling throughout. The ladies loved him as he went through lots of sexy dance moves as he teachers his pupil "Babe" the steps. As Babe, Emily Holt delighted. And in the end, love triumphed.
The whole plot revolves around dance, but the story also throws in a few political messages and an abortion...just for good measure.
This is a musical full of heat and passion, and whilst it takes a little while to get into its stride, it soon begins to burst with energy, providing a host of memorable moments. Moments to make you laugh. Moments to bring a tear or two. And yes, moments when it seems life's just not fair.
Manchester has waited for Dirty Dancing since its tour launch in the city last January. It has, without doubt, been well worth that wait.
GEOFFREY SHRYHANE