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Dirty Dancing
About Dirty Dancing
The summer romance that became a cultural phenomenon returns to Oxford this autumn, as Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage comes to New Theatre Oxford from Tuesday 6 to Saturday 10 October 2026.
Inspired by the much-loved 1987 film, the stage production brings the story of Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman and Johnny Castle to life with its familiar combination of romance, drama, music and dance. Set against the backdrop of a summer at Kellerman’s holiday resort, the story follows Baby and Johnny as they are drawn together despite coming from very different worlds.
The production features many of the songs associated with the original film, including Hungry Eyes, Hey! Baby, Do You Love Me? and the Oscar-winning (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life, alongside an ensemble of dancers and live music.
Joel Benjamin plays Johnny Castle, with Charlie Varlet as Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman and Ellie Fergusson as Penny Johnson. The wider cast includes Lynden Edwards, Taryn Sudding, Duncan Smith, Robert Grose, India Chadwick, Asher Forth and Cormac Diamond.
Directed by Federico Bellone and choreographed by Austin Wilks, Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage was written by Eleanor Bergstein, who also wrote the screenplay for the original film.
The stage production first opened at London’s Aldwych Theatre in 2006, where it became the theatre’s longest-running production and played to more than two million people during its five-year run. The current UK and Irish tour began in 2026 and continues through summer 2027.
Reviews
“The biggest live theatre sensation of all time.”
The Observer
“The stage version is a phenomenon.”
Sunday Mirror
Tickets
Please see important ticketing information below.
Ticketing information
Prices:
From £19.00 to 152.10
Dates & times:
- Tuesday 06 October at 7.30pm
- Wednesday 07 October at 7.30pm
- Thursday 08 October at 7.30pm
- Friday 09 October at 5.00pm and 8.30pm
- Saturday 10 October at 2.30pm and 7.30pm
This show has an interval
Age guidance: 14+
Watch the trailer
Gallery
Ahead of the production’s Oxford run, Johnny (Joel Benjamin) and Baby (Charlie Varlet) brought a little of the magic of Dirty Dancing to Oxford city centre and Blenheim Palace.
About New Theatre Oxford
There has been a theatre on George Street for almost 170 years. The first theatre was built in 1836, and a second in 1886. In 1934, the third New Theatre opened.
The theatre has been owned by several different companies and undergone several name changes. It is now owned by the Ambassador Theatre Group and hosts everything from ballet and opera to musicals.
On performance days, the Box Office opens at noon and closes 15 minutes after the show starts. If there is a performance on a Sunday or Bank Holiday, Box Office will open 2 hours before the show begins and close 15 minutes after the show starts.
There is a large air-conditioned bar with seating located below the Stalls Foyer, two further bars in the Circle Foyer and an additional one at the back of the balcony. All stocked with an array of drinks and snacks.
There is a cloakroom located in the stalls bar. If this is closed, please speak to a member of staff. £1 per item. It is free to ATG Theatre Card members.
See important information about Getting there and Access here
