Dirty Dancing’s Baby and Johnny perform the famous lift on board the Mersey Ferry

Posted on 3 September 2017
By Chris High
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With the record-breaking tour in full swing, the Dirty Dancing cast visited Liverpool yesterday to take a trip on the world-famous Mersey Ferry and performed the iconic lift ahead of their week-long run at the Liverpool Empire, 18th – 23rd September!

Lewis Griffiths who will be portraying the role of ‘Johnny Castle’, Katie Eccles as ‘Baby Houseman’ wowed ferry passengers on the River Explorer Cruise to a round of applause on the River Mersey yesterday as they gave a taste of what is to come when the tour arrives in Liverpool this September.

Surprised passengers were treated to a sneak peek of some of the musical’s most memorable moves, including the famous lift, as the boat sailed past Liverpool’s historic waterfront.

Currently playing in Blackpool, Dirty Dancing returns to the Liverpool Empire 18th – 23rd September for its final week of the tour – meaning it is the final chance for audiences to enjoy this heart-pounding sensation.

The Producers, Karl Sydow & Paul Elliot, for Dirty Dancing, the Classic Story Live on Stage, said: “Liverpool audiences have always been among our best so we’re delighted to be returning to the Liverpool Empire soon to finish our tour on a high note! And it was great to bring our Johnny and Baby – Lewis Griffiths and Katie Eccles – to the city this week to get a little preview of what Liverpool has to offer and enjoy a wonderful trip in the sunshine on the Mersey Ferry.”

Full of passion and romance, heart-pounding music and sensationally sexy dancing, this record-breaking all new concept of the show is directed by Federico Bellone, choreographed by Gillian Bruce with set design re-imagined by top Italian designer Roberto Comotti. It premiered in Milan in July 2015, subsequently packing out the 15,000 seat Roman Arena in Verona, and then played a season in Rome.

It’s the summer of 1963, and 17 year- old Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman is about to learn some major lessons in life as well as a thing or two about dancing. On holiday in New York’s Catskill Mountains with her older sister and parents, she shows little interest in the resort activities, and instead discovers her own entertainment when she stumbles across an all-night dance party at the staff quarters. Mesmerised by the raunchy dance moves and the pounding rhythms, Baby can’t wait to be part of the scene, especially when she catches sight of Johnny Castle the resort dance instructor. Her life is about to change forever as she is thrown in at the deep end as Johnny’s leading lady both on-stage and off, and two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives. Featuring the hit songs ‘Hungry Eyes’, ‘Hey! Baby’, ‘Do You Love Me?’ and the heart stopping ‘(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life’.

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.

Since its Australian debut in 2004, Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage, has become a worldwide phenomenon, with productions staged in the USA, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, South Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore and throughout Europe, consistently breaking box office records. Recent sell out tours include France, Germany and Australia. The first ever UK tour of Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage, launched in 2011 and then returned to the West End in 2013 playing at the Piccadilly Theatre in London, prior to launching a second UK and Ireland tour.

Produced by Karl Sydow, Joye Entertainment and Paul Elliott, in association with Lionsgate and Magic Hour Productions, and written by Eleanor Bergstein, script writer of the phenomenally successful 1987 film, the production features the much-loved characters and original dialogue from the iconic film, as well as exciting extra scenes added in.
Performance Information
Dirty Dancing
Liverpool Empire Theatre
18 – 23 September 2017

Mon – Sat evenings 7.30pm, Fri early 5:30pm & Sat matinee 2.30pm.

Tickets from £12 in person at the venue Box Office, £13 online/phone*

ATG Tickets 0844 871 3017*
atgtickets.com/liverpool*

*Fees apply to online/phone bookings. Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge

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