Review: Dirty Dancing at Sunderland Empire

Invited: Review by Stephen Stokoe 22 October 2026

Sunderland Empire was certainly jumping with the audience clearly expecting a great night out. And they certainly got one with the 20206/27 UK and Ireland Tour of Karl Sydow in association with Lionsgate and Magic Hour Productions’ Dirty Dancing.

The thing I like most about this production is that it really draws the audience into the action. Federico Bellone has cleverly directed the action so that you almost feel as if you are at the Kellerman’s resort as the hardworking staff try to entertain with holiday park daily activities not unlike a holiday park here in the UK.

Set in the summer of 1963, Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage follows 17-year-old Frances “Baby” Houseman (Charley Varlet) as she vacations with her parents, Dr. Jake (Lynden Edwards) and Marjorie (Taryn Sudding), and her older sister, Lisa (India Chadwick), at Kellerman’s resort. Bored by standard resort activities, Baby wanders into an after-hours staff party and becomes mesmerized by the sensual dancing. There, she meets the charismatic resort dance instructor, Johnny Castle (Joel Benjamin), and his fellow dancer, Penny Johnson (Ellie Fergusson). When Penny faces a crisis, Baby steps in to become Johnny’s secret dance partner for an upcoming event. Supported by staff members like singer Billy Kostecki (Asher Forth) and bandleader Tito Suarez (Robert Grose), Baby and Johnny navigate fierce social divides, family disapproval, and an intense romance that changes their lives forever.

This production is very faithful to the 1987 movie of the same name starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey and rightly so. The characters feel the same pain and insecurities, there is sibling rivalry and a moving redemption to conclude the production which had the assembled crowd this evening up and applauding.

Benjamin has some pretty collosal boots to fill taking over from the late Patrick Swayze who was taken from us almost two decades ago – but fill them he does with some masterful dancing and pecs you could crack walnuts on. This was not lost on the crowd this evening who were not shy in hooting their approval whenever he flexed his considerable muscle.

Varlet is also delightful as the outwardly awkward Baby. You cannot help but like her youthful notions that everyone has a good side – in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

The villain of the piece is resident lothario Robbie Gould (Alexander Emery) who treats the ladies at the resort as his personal playthings and is very much responsible for the predicament that street girl Penny finds herself in. Collectively the crowd willed on the irate Johnny as he eventually gave the scoundrel the whooping he thoroughly deserved.

The set (Federico Bellone – yes the director) is very cleverly thought out with the majority of the action taking place at Kellerman’s. The ensemble work incredibly hard manoevering trucks, props, and all manner of things to provide seamless transitions from scene to scene. This could not have been done with the brilliant work of choreographer Austin Wilks.

The lighting (Valerio Tiberi) was generally spot on although I did find it a little unnecessarily dark in places, The sound (Chris Whybrow) was clear as you like with all dialogue audible throughout. Perhaps ease off the drums ever so slightly.

Which leads neatly onto the music. Kellerman’s band is an absolute joy from beginning to end and are on the stage for most of the production providing a wonderful soundtrack and adding vocalst. I was delighted when Kevin Oliver Jones, Tim Edwards, Laura Andressen Guimaraes, Gabriel Askew, and Time Wade were given license to play the audience out at the end. Personally, I was transfixed and rooted to the spot as were many of the audience to rightly give them hearty applause as the music died away.

There were some exemplary performances from all of the cast this evening but, you know me, I will always have my favourties. Grose as the MC or Compére was magnificent and really got the crowd back after the interval and Forth’s vocals were superb, powerful, and, my word, what a range that boy has! Outstanding!

I do not mind admitting that this show is not really for me. I don’t think it was written for me but it is certainly beautifully formed to give you the story of Dirty Dancing on stage. I do not think anyone could have any complaint about that. It was a girlie movie in 1987 and it is still a very girlie show 29 years later. It is thoroughly enjoyable and I defy anyone not to have the time of their lives as Baby is lifted by the thoroughly adorable Johnny Castle towards the end.

Dirty Dancing plays at The Sunderland Empire until Saturday 26 September ahead of another dance based musical as Billy Elliot – the award-winning original phenomenon returns from 4 – 28 November 2026. For tickets visit the box office at atgtickets.com/sunderland-empire