“It’s become so iconic because it deals with topics that are timeless”: Michael O’Reilly and Kira Malou on Dirty Dancing at Dominion Theatre

Following its record-breaking run in 2022, Dirty Dancing has returned to London for a limited time. The show originated as an 80s cult classic romantic drama dance film, based on writer Eleanor Bergstein’s own life. It tells the story of Frances “Baby” Houseman, a young woman who falls in love with dance instructor Johnny Castle at a vacation resort.

The Upcoming spoke to Michael O’Reilly and Kira Malou who are returning to their roles as Johnny and Baby. O’Reilly’s theatre credits include West Side Story at Leicester Curve and Matthew Bourne’s Lord of the Flies at Theatre Royal Plymouth, while Malou’s include Fame at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre. She also stars in Penny on Mars, now on Disney+.

How does it feel to be donning the hats of the lead roles of Johnny and Baby once again? 

Michael O’Reilly: Returning to this show is an absolute dream. The show and the character have such a special place in my heart.

Kira Malou: I feel incredibly grateful to be back playing such an iconic role like Baby. I was a huge fan of the movie before and I’ve developed an even deeper love for her since playing her on stage. As well as being over the moon and excited to be back, we do have big boots to fill, so there’s a lot of pressure to give these characters the justice they deserve.

Returning to these roles, do you feel like you have something new to say? What fresh perspective are you hoping to bring?

MO: I made my debut in the show when I was only 21, landing the role of Johnny straight out of college, and it’s not an exaggeration to say it changed my life. Coming back to the show, I try to bring all of the amazing lessons I’ve learned from new teachers and creators I’ve had the pleasure of working with since then. The first time I approached the role, I tried to avoid watching the film as much as possible: I didn’t want to just copy what had come before me, I wanted to bring something new to the role. Since then though, I have fallen in love with Patrick Swayze, his incredible artistry and the morality with which he lived his life. I bring this love with me into my prep for the role, and try to honour his memory while staying true to my interpretation.

KM: I’ve been playing Baby on and off since 2018, and I never want to turn on autopilot and hope for the best, especially with a script that has, even now, very weighty topics such as racial discrimination, abortion – which is now illegal again in some parts of the US – and huge gaps in social classes. I think my fresh perspective is as simple as growing up and really learning about these issues that were relevant in 1963 when Dirty Dancing was based, and, unfortunately, even now in 2023. Knowing what I know now gives the script and what I’m saying more gravity and meaning, no matter what the year is.

How does it feel to be back with the cast after a time apart?

MO: Well, obviously, being back working with Kira means the world – we met and fell in love the first time we did the show together back in 2018. Working with her is one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had, and it’s so hard to put that into words. On top of this, we are joined by some amazing Dirty Dancing alumni who are family and we welcome an incredible host of new talented cast members who already feel like an integral part of our team.

KM: We have a mixture of cast members who have done the show before and many new people who are joining for the first time. I think it says a lot about this show that so many people return to Dirty Dancing on stage, even some after eight years. It feels so amazing to be with everyone in the rehearsal room: there’s always such a buzz, especially when we’ve had a few months away from each other.

If someone was a die-hard fan of the movies, what separates the show from the film?

MO: There is very little that differs from the movie in terms of script, although there are a few additional scenes in the stage show that never made the cut of the movie. The big thing I would say about the stage show is… the music is live, the dancing is live and the emotion is live. Right there in front of your eyes, you get to experience it with 2,000 other fans of the movie. It’s magic!

KM: I will say that if you are a die-hard fan of the movie you will LOVE it on stage! Even though we’ve kept true to what people know and love, seeing it on stage will really make you feel that you are there at Kellerman’s with Baby and Johnny. We’ve got the most amazing band on stage playing all your favourite songs live and scenes that weren’t in the film that only make it more enjoyable.

The show was originally put on in 2004. In the current social climate, are there things that have been adapted or changed/things that are different from what you’re used to?

MO: I think Dirty Dancing has become so popular and iconic because it deals with topics that are timeless. How can you put a date on love, bravery or overcoming adversity? These are currents that run through the whole show and I think why the audience can relate to the characters so fiercely. There are also themes in the movie and show such as abortion, race and society, which are just as prevalent today as they were in 2004 and when the movie was made.

KM: I was only seven when the stage version came out, so unfortunately I didn’t see that version, but over the years there have naturally been adaptions to make things smoother and clearer. Since I first started in 2018, there have been changes such as a big reduction in the amount of set that is used on stage. Dirty Dancing already has a script that is packed with so many topics, stories and characters that don’t need frills and fuss. What is there is already great and having less on stage draws the audience more to the words, story and the songs.

What is your favourite song in the show?

MO: That’s a tough call, there are so many awesome tracks. (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life is going to have to take first place for me, though: it’s a hugely climactic moment in the show and the atmosphere before that song and the iconic line is electric! Then when the track finally plays, the whole theatre erupts.

KM: My favourite song in the show is Hungry Eyes by Eric Carmen. It actually used to be my alarm in the mornings, which I thought to be the best way to start my day. Safe to say it’s not that anymore because I think that would be overkill.

How did you first get involved in musicals/theatre?

MO: My first experience was when I was 16. I was captain of a very prestigious rugby academy and had my whole life mapped out on the field. I then stumbled into an audition for Matthew Bourne’s Lord of the Flies, which was doing a tour of the UK, and working with that company led me on a path away from the sport and onto the stage. I never looked back.

KM: My mum put me into dance class when I was four for no other reason than to have a hobby outside of school. I strongly remember when I was seven deciding that I was going to spend my life performing when I watched some of the older girls go off to dance school and make careers out of it. When I was 18, I won the Stage Magazine scholarship, which allowed me to train professionally at Tiffany Theatre College. Since graduating, I have discovered a deeper love for acting and telling stories and hope that I am blessed to do more of this in the future.

What are some of your career highlights?

MO: Opening Dirty Dancing at the Dominion theatre last year was one of my most proud moments and is a big standout for me. I also remember being in the sitzprobe for West Side Story: we had a 16-piece orchestra, and hearing that score come to life for the first time was a moment when I realised how much I loved musical theatre.

KM: Dirty Dancing is my number one highlight! It was my favourite film growing up and being able to tell Baby’s story on stage each night is a dream come true. I also met Michael, who plays Johnny, in 2018 – so meeting the man I love in this show is so special and gives this show more meaning to me. After the tour in 2019, I booked my second TV job for the Disney Channel in a series called Penny on Mars. Filming for TV is so different from doing a stage show, but I loved the challenge and the character I played. It was also filmed in Milan which made the whole experience more memorable.

Do you have a theatre bucket list of shows you’d love to do? If so, what are your top three?

MO: This is a very difficult question because there are so many things I would love to do, shows I want to be a part of, roles I want to play and creatives that I want to work with. As long as I keep being able to make meaningful work with creatives that love this craft, then it will be a dream come true.

KM: Even though my aim is to do more filming for TV, musical theatre will always hold a special place in my heart. Shows that I would love to be a part of and characters I would love to play would be: Sophie in Mamma Mia, Sandy in Grease, and I would love to be in Hairspray just because it was my favourite musical growing up and I would love to fulfil that childhood dream.

What would be your advice for someone starting out in theatre?

MO: I would just say you have to love it more than you are scared of it not working. There are so many things that get in the way, there are so many people who want to do it and so few who are lucky enough to get the chance. So love it. Love it when you are rehearsing in the kitchen, when you are lip-syncing to your favourite film. Love it when you’re training ten hours a day or when you’re out of work. And love it when you finally step onto that stage or set. Love will carry you through the heartbreak and rejection, and when you feel it is too difficult, I promise you that you CAN do it and it is definitely worth it.

KM: You have got to love this with every cell in your body, because it’s going to be tough and take a lot of work and when it happens all that hard work will be so worthwhile. Take all the classes you can – singing dancing and acting – be kind and enjoy it because what we get to do is magical.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions.

Natallia Pearmain
Image: Mark Senior

Dirty Dancing is at Dominion Theatre from 21^st January until 29^th April 2023. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here. Read our five-star review here.