The story of Frances “Baby” Houseman and Johnny Castle has been a smash hit on the big screen and on stage since its 1987 release. After braving the breeze on Hove seafront at the Bandstand the cast were eager to discuss the show. Ahead of their week long run in Brighton at Theatre Royal, Michael O’Reilly (Johnny) and Kira Malou (Baby) spoke to Jamie Walker about taking the classic film to the stage.

You’ve rehearsed the show so many times, but I imagine stepping out for that first show will be very different.

Michael: Yeah, it’s going to be really great.

Kira: The nerves kick in when there’s an audience so there is more pressure.

Michael: It will be great to get that audience response, there’s that relationship that develops as the show goes on.

And being in a stage show must also mean every performance is different?

Kira: The audience, and how they respond to it, does give you a different feeling. You don’t stray too far from it but even in rehearsals I found myself doing it differently and experimenting.

The director, Federico Bellone, has really encouraged us to find our own characters.

Michael: I think it’s important to find the iconic character that people want to see but have the confidence in yourself to find your own version of that.

How important is that chemistry that you both share when performing?

Michael: The show is really nice because the characters go on this journey together, and the audience feel like they’re on that journey too.

Kira’s great when we’re doing a challenging scene or there’s lots of emotion.

We just give it everything and commit to it.

Were there plenty of late nights watching the film, to prepare?

Michael: Well Kira watches it every night for fun anyway.

Kira: I am such a big fan of the film, I don’t even know how many times I watched it before being in the show so it’s ingrained in me at this point.

Because you had been in the previous tour in a different character as well, it must have been great to be such a fan and then be in the show.

Kira: It’s amazing, I think I cried with happiness for days after.

So individually, how different are your characters from how you are in normal life?

Michael: I think Johnny can be quite mean sometimes.

Kira: So the same as in real life.

Michael: Yeah, exactly. No, he’s obviously gone through things that I haven’t in my real life and things that he’s had to learn to deal with.

That’s a big element where we’re not similar but that’s fun because then you go and find those places.

Kira: You’re probably more Baby and I’m more Johnny.

There are similarities and differences to both.

Michael: Johnny has obviously come from a dance background so that is probably our mutual ground. I feel so much of his story on stage is told through dance, it’s all about his relationship with Baby and how he embraces that part of himself.

How long did it take to get that iconic lift done?

Michael: We actually did it first time in rehearsals. There was one girly shriek in the first one.

Kira: Only because Michael’s really tall so when we were doing it I knew I was going up high but I got up there and it was like “Wow”. But touch wood we haven’t messed it up yet.

Michael, you’ve just graduated, how great was it for you to come straight into this role?

Michael: You do this job just because you love performing so to get any role within this industry would have been great, but to get such an amazing character in such a famous show means the world.

I think Brighton is going to be an awesome venue to kick-start the tour too, it’s going to be great.

It’s a long tour as well, how do you prepare for that?

Both: A massive suitcase.

Michael: It’s cool being on such a long tour because the cast become your family and you bond because you work so closely together.

So why is Dirty Dancing the show to see?

Kira: Why? Why not? It’s such an amazing, buzzy show and the audience come out really hyped up from watching it.

It’s an incredible show and we have an amazing team as well.

Michael: I feel like if you’re a fan of the film you should definitely come and watch it.

Everything has been created in the show to make it audience friendly. Come down for the tunes, the music, the performance.

Dirty Dancing runs at Brighton Theatre Royal from today until Saturday, September 29