Lewis Griffiths talks ahead of starring role in Dirty Dancing at Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre - interview

Lewis Griffiths, who will play the role at Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre from Monday until December 3, thinks he knows why.

"Well, partly, it's because we're standing on the shoulders of giants. You have to appreciate that Patrick Swayze made this role iconic. So everything you do has to pay respect to that.

"In many ways, the role has become 50 per cent Johnny Castle and 50 per cent Patrick. Everyone comes to the show with certain expectations and you have to deliver on those."

Lewis has an impressive pedigree and will be making his umpteenth return to The Grand. He trained at The London Studio Centre and his theatre credits include Jersey Boys (UK Tour); Ghost – The Musical (UK Tour); Legally Blonde – The Musical (UK Tour); Don't Stop Belivin (UK Tour); Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Original West End Cast) and Buddy (UK tour).

There have been other key performances like Eurobeat – Almost Eurovision (UK Tour and West End); Rent – Remixed (West End); Fame (West End); Love Shack (UK Tour); Bill and Ted's Most Excellent Musical Adventure (Greenwich Theatre) and Whistle Down The Wind (West End).

Dirty Dancing, however, is a true highlight.

"There's a lot involved. The audiences are so involved in the show as well, they break a sweat as much as we do.

"This production is a new imagining of the same show. Everyone's familiar with the show but the producers felt there were a few flaws with the previous productions. So this one breaks down all the walls and invites the audience in.

"The thing is, a show like this, everyone is expecting water melons, the lift and so on. They are iconic points in the story that are synonymous with the movie.

"I always get a lot of people saying to me 'So you're playing Patrick Swayze'. So we can't just rip it up and start again because it's iconic. There's two decades worth of history and people love it. There's Hungry Eyes and Time of My Life, which were 80s dance floor fillers, it's just amazing."

Every evening is different and much depends on the audience in any particular town. Happily, crowds have been responding enthusiastically.

Lewis added: "This is a new version of the show and they are getting a new direction, new choreography and a new set. Everything is new but they still get what they want. If you want to come and have a party, you've got that. We're flabbergasted by the response."

After the present set of shows, Dirty Dancing will return to London for a third stint. "It's unprecedented. But then it warrants a London audience now because of all the hard work we've put in on the road. The audience have given this show legs. They've given it longevity. It's not our hard work, the audience participate as well."

The show is built around the chemistry of Lewis and Katie Hartland, who plays Frances 'Baby' Houseman.

Lewis added: "Katie is our Baby. I was very nervous about stepping into such big shoes, but I forget that Jennifer Gray's shoes are equally big to step into, especially for a 23-year-old graduate. We developed our own chemistry. In a weird way, it's brotherly-sisterly. There's really good chemistry."

The Grand and the theatres of Birmingham have been a happy stomping ground for Lewis, who recently performed in the acclaimed production of Jersey Boys.

"There was a certain gravitas to that show as there is to Dirty Dancing. There was a sense of fulfilment in that show for me personally. I personally love the music and the period for Jersey Boys.

"We took that show to The Grand and I've also been there in Ghost and Legally Blonde. Then I did a panto with Matt Slack and Lesley Joseph, which was very long running.

"So I hold very fond memories of The Grand. It's great to meet The Friends of The Grand and that theatre has some of the best audiences there are.

"Coming to The Grand feels like coming home. To me, it's like looking forward to slipping into a pair of comfy slippers."

By Andy Richardson