AN ICONIC MOVE ON BOARD AN ICONIC ATTRACTION

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


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.”

The Mersey Ferries are no strangers to a sprinkle of celebrity stardust. Celebrated by the famous Gerry and the Pacemakers hit, the ferries also host a range of special music-themed cruises throughout the year for more info merseyferries.co.uk/Pages/default.aspx

Lewis Griffiths has had a prolific career in musical theatre, most recently starring as ‘Nick Massi’ on the UK tour of Jersey Boys. Other roles in UK tours include Ghost and Legally Blonde, and West End credits include Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Rent and Whistle Down the Wind.


Katie Eccles has enjoyed an incredible career both on stage and screen performing in Theatre roles: Thursford Christmas Spectacular (Thursford Collection, Norfolk); Cinderella (The Courtyard Theatre, Hereford); 42nd Street Gala (London Palladium); Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (The Capitol Theatre, Horsham) and on Television in: Mr Selfridge (ITV); Grantchester (ITV) and Endeavour (ITV).

Carlie Milner stars as ‘Penny Johnson’. Starting as a member of the ensemble in 2014, she covered and subsequently took over the role of ‘Penny’ in 2015.

The rest of the company are: Julian Harries as ‘Jake Houseman’, Simone Craddock as ‘Marjorie Houseman’, Tony Stansfield ‘as Max Kellerman’, Jo Servi as ‘Tito Suarez’, Lizzie Ottley as ‘Lisa Houseman’, Michael Kent as ‘Billy Kostecki’, Greg Fossard as ‘Neil Kellerman’, Nigel Nevinson as ‘Mr Schumacher’, Sophia Mackay as ‘Elizabeth’, and Amelia Armstrong as ‘Vivian’. Also joining the company are Gabby Antrobus, Kelsie-Rae Marshall, Adam Lyons, Tom bowen, Michael Cuckson, Kira Malou, Beth Highsted, Thomas Sutcliffe, Samuel John-Humphreys, Millie Hood, Ashley Rumble, Kage Douglas, Austin

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

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