Dirty Dancing set for The West End
The hit film 'Dirty Dancing' is to become a West End stage show, and the search is on for its two stars.
Producers of the musical are to hold open auditions for the roles made famous by Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in the 1987 movie.
It will open at London's Aldwych Theatre in October. Currently, the show is breaking box office records in Australia.
Original writer Eleanor Bergstein has adapted her film for the theatre, adding new scenes.
The movie is being faithfully recreated for the stage, right down to the famous lake scene in which Johnny (Swayze) lifts Baby (Grey) out of the water and holds her in the air.
Special effects will make the actors appear as if they are waist-deep in the water.
''People have asked why I decided to do the stage show after all this time'', Bergstein said.
''I realise people were seeing the movie over and over again. I got the idea that what they really wanted was to feel like they were there. That can happen in live theatre.''
'Dirty Dancing' is a coming-of-age story about a teenage girl who falls in love with a dance instructor during a family holiday. It remains the biggest independent film of all time, and the soundtrack has sold 41 million copies.
The theme tune 'Time Of My Life' won the Oscar for Best Song.
