Dirty Dancing is returning to the West End, with Michael O'Reilly reprising the lead role

Michael O’Reilly returns as Johnny Castle, joined by professional-debut star Pippa Jackson as Baby, when Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage plays a strictly limited season at the Prince Edward Theatre from January 2027.

Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage will play the Prince Edward Theatre for 15 weeks, from 19 January to 24 April 2027, with priority booking open now ahead of general sale on 6 October.

Michael O’Reilly leads the cast as Johnny Castle, joined by Pippa Jackson as Baby Houseman and Emily Layden-Fritz as Penny Johnson. The production, written by Eleanor Bergstein (the screenwriter of the original 1987 film) features the show’s full soundtrack of 35 songs, including “Hungry Eyes” and “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.”

Couple dancing closely: woman in a pink dress and man in a black shirt embrace, gazing at each other against a plain backdrop. — Dirty Dancing. Pippa Jackson (Baby) & Michael O’Reilly (Johnny). (c) Michael Wharley

O’Reilly has spent seven years in the role since his professional debut in the show back in 2019, taking in multiple UK tours and a West End run at the Dominion Theatre — but it’s his time performing Johnny at the Dôme de Paris that stands out: he learned French from scratch to play the role entirely in the language.

For Jackson, the casting marks the opposite milestone: Dirty Dancing is her professional stage debut, straight into one of musical theatre’s most recognisable roles.

The show originally opened at London’s Aldwych Theatre in 2006, running for five years before becoming a genuine global phenomenon, playing in more than eleven countries from Australia to Sweden.

Plan your visit

Theatre: Prince Edward Theatre, Old Compton Street, London W1D 4HS
Booking dates: 19 January – 24 April 2027
Performance schedule: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu & Sat at 7.30pm; Fri at 5pm & 8.30pm; Sat matinees at 2.30pm
Access: Audio described performance Tue 9 March 2027, 7.30pm; captioned performance Wed 17 March 2027, 7.30pm

Dirty Dancing

Prince Edward Theatre, London

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