Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage –returns to Wales Millennium Centre from 17 to 28 March 2015, starring Carmarthen born Francis Haugen. Taking on his biggest role to date, Francis is to play Robbie as well as understudy for lead, Johnny Castle, in this record breaking national tour.
Francis, from Rhandirmwyn, near Llandovery, trained at Arts Educational School in London. His credits include understudy Don Lockwood in Singin’ in the Rain (Palace); Billy Lawlor in 42nd Street (Leicester Curve); Singin’ in the Rain (Chichester Festival Theatre); Me and My Girl (Sheffield Crucible) and Legally Blonde (Savoy).
Joining Francis in the cast is Gareth Bailey as Johnny Castle, one of the most iconic roles in popular culture. Gareth started his Dirty Dancing journey in the first UK tour where he too played Robbie. He then went on to play Johnny Castle in South Africa as part of the international tour of Dirty Dancing, prior to joining the West End Company at the Piccadilly Theatre. Other credits include Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show (UK tour); Starlight Express (Germany); Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Theatre Royal Plymouth) and Cinderella (Cliffs Pavilion).
Roseanna Frascona will be carrying the watermelon as idealistic Baby Houseman, who discovers love and life in the summer she will never forget. Roseanna’s credits include At First Sight (UK tour); The Taming of the Shrew (international tour); Murder in the Cathedral (Oxford Playhouse) and Antigone (Southwark Playhouse).
Claire Rogers will play Penny Johnson. Claire’s credits include Dirty Dancing (Piccadilly); Chicago (UK tour); Moulin Rouge (Paris and international tours) and La Varieté (Hackney Empire). Her film and television credits include Nine (The Weinstein Company); Victoria Wood’s Christmas Cracker - The Giddy Kipper and Fashion TV (Sky) and Star Academy for French TV.
The cast also includes James Coombes as Dr. Jake Houseman, Julia J. Nagle as Marjorie Houseman, Jessie-Lou Yates as Lisa Houseman, Colin Charles as Tito Suarez, Alexander Wolfe as Neil Kellerman, Michael Remick as Max Kellerman, Wayne Smith as Billy Kostecki and Mark Faith as Mr Schumacher. Also joining the company are James Bennett, Sarah Cortez, Lizzi Franklin, Antony Hewitt, Verity Jones, Lewis Kirk, Robin Lake, Garry Lee, Carly Miles, Carlie Milner, Simone Mistry-Palmer, Marlon Moore, Brandon Lee Sears and Natalie Winsor.
Head of Programming at Wales Millennium Centre, Louise Miles-Crust, said: ‘I’m thrilled that Wales Millennium Centre is receiving the phenomenal Dirty Dancing once again. It’s such a timeless story with its exhilarating choreography and well-loved songs. It was a huge hit with audiences when it was first here in 2012 and I have no doubt it will prove just as popular this time around.’
Produced by Karl Sydow and Joye Entertainment, in association with Lionsgate and Magic Hour Productions, and written by Eleanor Bergstein, script writer of the phenomenally successful 1987 film, the production features all the much-loved characters and original dialogue from the iconic film with exciting extra scenes added in.
The tantalising dance sequences and brand new choreography come alive on stage, set to all the hits from the unforgettable soundtrack, including ‘Do You Love Me?’, ‘Hungry Eyes’ and the Academy Award Winning ‘(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life’, plus many additional songs, making the show a truly extraordinary live experience.
Dirty Dancing –The Classic Story On Stage opened at the 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 famous Aldwych Theatre and played to over 2 million people during its triumphant 5 year run. A hit show all around the world, Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage has opened in Australia, New Zealand, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and South Africa, consistently breaking box office records.
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