THE emphasis was firmly set on having the time of your life at the Manchester premiere of hit musical Dirty Dancing -–The Classic Story on Stage.

Excited fans flocked to a Palace Theatre that was festooned with pink decorations to see Paul-Michael Jones and Emily Holt ramp it up as Johnny Castle and Baby.

The pair oozed chemistry as they took their first tentative steps as new dancing partners before realising their feelings for one another.

Penny, played by Charlotte Gooch, never ceased to amaze as she put in a string of show-stopping dance routines that often had the audience’s jaws on the floor.

The ladies in the crowd, of which there were many, were thrilled to see Johnny in only his underwear at one point, protesting loudly when he put his trademark tight black jeans and vest back on.

Rousing renditions of classic songs such as Be My Baby, Hungry Eyes and She’s Like the Wind by an expert orchestra led an expectant audience to the grand finale, which did not fail to disappoint.

Here Johnny strode down the theatre aisle to the strains of (I’ve had) The Time of My Life, before swooping on stage to reclaim Baby with his infamous line that people may recall includes the word ‘corner’.

This was followed by an ensemble dance and the terrifying, never-achieved-in-practice-lift, which was perfectly executed.

The set was a feast for the eyes, featuring a backdrop of both stills and moving images from the original film so that the audience could swoon over Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey while enjoying the on-stage action.

The scenes in which the couple practice lifts on a log before trying again in the lake were ethereal in their portrayal as art directors made use of what looked like holograms to get the desired effects.

One theatregoer said: “It couldn’t have been more perfect. It was so professional and entertaining. Just really good all round.”

Among those enjoying the show were former Happy Mondays backing singer Rowetta Satchell, Louis Spence, star of TV shows Pineapple Dance Studios and Showbusiness, and Emmerdale actress Suzanne Shaw.

Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage is at the Palace Theatre from now until January 7. Tickets are on sale now. Telephone 0844 847 2484.

Star rating - *****