MEMORY LANE
Dirty Dancing, the classic 80s movie, comes to Venue Cymru for a two week run of nostalgia
ACTOR Lewis Kirk has really been having the time of his life - and he owes it all to landing the role of the leading man in the stage version of Dirty Dancing.
Lewis plays dance instructor Johnny Castle, the role made famous by Patrick Swayze in the the hit 1987 film.
Johnny works at a resort in the US Catskill Mountains in the early 1960s, where he has a romantic liaison with one of the guests, the idealistic youngster Baby, played by Jessie Hart.
The musical will be at Venue Cymru, Llandudno for a two week run from October 6.
Lewis said: “It’s a great part to play. Obviously it’s an iconic film. As an actor you want to give the audiences the character they crave. The audience are reluctant to see anyone other than Patrick Swayze in the role.
“You want to give them that and still make it your own. There’s some great scenes with Baby and it’s a nice part to play, especially with the pay-off at the end. The audience are all with you when you come down the aisle to say ‘Nobody puts Baby in a corner’. You also get to dance and show off your range.”
He has little time to go to the gym but says the part has built up his stamina.
“It’s a demanding role, it’s full-on from the start and there are four lifts during the big dance routines. But we have a rehearsal before the show so on matinee days I may be lifting Baby a dozen times,” he said.
Details at the Venue Cymru website or from the Box office on phone (01492) 872000.