Sunday, November 19, 2006

Time of My Life

Watching Dirty Dancing at Aldwych theatre last Friday transported me back to 1988.

The days of shoulder padded dresses, bicycle shorts and McGyver. Thanks to a weekly dose of Kasey Casem on American Top 40, I wanted to style my hair ala Debbie Gibson. My fashion idol was my older cousin who wore blue eye shadow and runched up her jacket sleeves. I was a member of the David Copperfield and Rick Astley fan club.

I was an obstinate 12 year old, desperately wanting to go watch THE movie but my parents would not hear of it (in retrospect who would blame them? It's not a movie for a 12 year old). I remember moping around thinking how unfair life was.

This time around, thank god shoulder pads have faded into a natural death (although this cyclical fashion thing creeps me out. Never know when some trash from the past is going to be recycled) and I could stay out as late as I wanted.

Dirty Dancing 2006 started on a rain soaked note. We girls were wet, cold and hungry as we battled the downpour and quickly grabbed a snack before hurrying to our seats. Suddenly, the lights dimmed and an anticipated hush enveloped. A flicker of colours and sounds jolted us into life and like a thunderbolt, Johnny Castle gyrated his way into our hearts. The 90% female crowd went wild. For 2 1/2 hours, we watched lurrvvve blooming at Kellerman's and waited for Baby and Johnny to dance. We hardly sat towards the end, joining in the songs and moving to the beat.

If you were in Holborn last Friday and wondered why on earth droves of girls were rowdily screaming at the top of their voices as they were walking to the tube, including my mad friend Ewok, you will know now. Amidst the pelting rain, we were missing Johnny and singing I've had the Time of Life....

12 comments:

Count Byron said...

Wowwwwwwwww.. I too feel like joining you girls screaming, jostling our way to the tube.. Yeahhh my wicked wishes and wants.
I love your writing Jane.

Anonymous said...

oh gosh, yessss!! THE show of the decade! (for us 12-year-olds anyway, haha!) I do so enjoy a good love story... *dreamy sigh*

Kak Teh said...

jane on the way back, i was in a taxi and the radio was playing one of the songs...Oh my God! we really had a wonderful time..and the food at maroush was something else too. MUST MUST MUST do it again.

30in2005 said...

Nice one. That music is some of my favourite. The best thing about musicals is that I can sing ever louder even if the voice is a bit hideous!!!

starlight said...

am turning emerald over here. i remember those days oh so well too. was a huge fan of debbie gibson and i wanted to marry mcgyver! thanks so much for sharing this with us. it really made me smile!

basho said...

ah, so im grown up now and im not mcgyver? who would have thought.

Jane Sunshine said...

Count: Ah, you're welcome to join us anytime.

May: Nothing like a good love story eh?

Kak Teh: Yeah, I was on such a high for a few days. It was great going a bit crazy and with Ewok around, we wont have a problem with that next time!!!

30in2005: I can't sing to save my life either but that doesn't stop me!

Starlight: The 80s were kinda embarassing huh. But the memories I have are all rose-tinted one.

Basho: Who would have thought that, heh?

Ewok said...

Babe,
I had a fantastic evening! It was undoubtedly the Time of My Life.

UglyButAdorable said...

i so love the old version of dirty dancing... and yes mcgyver..and debbid gibbons..opps gibson..

i was way bit too young to sneak out at that time..so had to wait till it came out at the TV..

btw my first movie alone was pretty woman...

Anonymous said...

Patrick Swayze!!!! Jeniffer Grey!! You won't believe how much I wanted to be Jeniffer Grey so that I could be in Patrick Swayze's arms that time. Now that I am old grown up, *slap head*

Anonymous said...

Hi Jane, Kak Teh recommended that I read your blog and I must admit, I'm glad she did. Enjoy reading it but must come back again to go through your archives.
I am so jealous.....I've been trying to get tickets to Dirty Dancing since KT mentioned it but no tickets available till next year. :(

Jane Sunshine said...

Ewok: Me too, me too!!!

UbA: The great 80s, how we loved it so. I must have watched Pretty Woman like 30 times.

Marsha: Huh, DD sure transports all of us into adolscence doesn't it?

Dr Ve Thru: Welcome!!! Kak T told me all about you and yes, we must catch up!