5 Aug 2026
One with Joel Benjamin as Johnny Castle in Dirty Dancing
One with Joel Benjamin as Johnny Castle in Dirty Dancing
Featuring heart-pounding music, breath-taking emotion and sensational dancing, Dirty Dancing –
The Classic Story on Stage, inspired by the beloved hit film, will once again come to life in this
fantastic live show.
Joining Joel Benjamin as Johnny Castle, Charlie Varlet as Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman and Ellie
Fergusson as Penny Johnson will be Lynden Edwards (Dr Jake Houseman), Taryn Sudding (Marjorie
Houseman), Duncan Smith (Max Kellerman), Robert Grose (Tito Suarez), India Chadwick (Lisa
Houseman), Asher Forth (Billy Kostecki), Cormac Diamond (Neil Kellerman), Matthew Lloyd Davies
(Mr Schumacher) and Mimi Rodrigues-Alves (Elizabeth). They are joined by Ayron Campbell,
Danielle Cato (Vivian/Ensemble), Anna Cliff, Ellie Cutler, Alexander Emery (Robbie/Ensemble), Sam
Harvey (Moe/Ensemble), Danielle Huntley, Hollie-Ann Lowe, Max Mulrenan, Rowen Newsome,
Mason Plews, Harvey Ray, Sienna Walker and Jody Zimmerman.
For the 2026/27 Tour, the Kellerman’s Band will comprise Laura Andresen Guimaraes, Gabriel
Askew, Tim Edwards, Kevin Oliver Jones and Tim Wade.
Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story on Stage will be directed by Federico Bellone and choreographed by
Austin Wilks.
Seen by millions across the globe, this worldwide smash hit tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny,
two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds, who come together in what will be the
most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives.
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Featuring the hit songs 'Hungry Eyes', ‘Hey! Baby’, ‘Do You Love Me?’ and the heart stopping ‘(I’ve
Had) The Time of My Life’, the iconic show returns to the stage, previewing in Milton Keynes Theatre
from 25th August 2026. Thereafter, Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story on Stage will go on to entertain
audiences across the UK and Ireland until the summer of 2027.
About Dirty Dancing:
Dirty Dancing is an enduring cultural phenomenon that began with an iconic film that grossed over
$214 million at the worldwide box office and subsequently launched two multiplatinum soundtrack
albums, numerous #1 hit singles, won an Academy Award®
for Best Original Song and a Grammy®
Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, spawned a television series,
multiple competition reality shows, a prequel film, a stage production with sold-out performances
around the world, a made-for-television musical adaptation, and an upcoming Lionsgate sequel
film. The original film is one of Lionsgate’s all-time best-selling library titles.
Notes:
Creative Team
Written by Eleanor Bergstein
Director and Set Designer Federico Bellone
Choreographer Austin Wilks
Lighting Designer Valerio Tiberi
Sound Designer Chris Whybrow
Supervising Musical Director Richard John
Associate Director Juliet Gough
Original Music Supervisor Conrad Helfrich
Costume Designer Jennifer Irwin
Casting Harry Blumenau CDG CSA
Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story on Stage originally opened at London’s Aldwych Theatre in 2006
with a record-breaking advance of £15 million, making it the fastest ever selling show in West End
theatre history. The production became the longest running show in the history of the Aldwych
Theatre and played to over 2 million people during its triumphant 5-year run.
Produced by Karl Sydow in association with Lionsgate, Magic Hour Productions, and Ivan Mactaggart
-Co-Producer for Freedom Riders. Written by Eleanor Bergstein - screenwriter of the phenomenally
successful 1987 film - the production features the much-loved characters and original dialogue from
the iconic film.
The stage production is inspired by the classic hit film directed by Emile Ardolino, written by Eleanor
Bergstein, produced by Linda Gottlieb, and starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey alongside Jerry
Orbach, Cynthia Rhodes, and Kelly Bishop).
