skip to main content

MU Discusses Dirty Dancing’s ‘Dirty Dealing’ on BBC Radio Coventry & Warwickshire

MU Midlands Organiser Stephen Brown discussed Dirty Dancing’s ‘dirty dealing’ on The Breakfast Show with Trish Adudu, BBC Radio Coventry & Warwickshire.

Published: 30 January 2017 | 12:00 AM Updated: 28 April 2021 | 4:28 PM

MU Midlands Organiser Stephen Brown discussed Dirty Dancing’s ‘dirty dealing’ on The Breakfast Show with Trish Adudu, BBC Radio Coventry & Warwickshire. 

In her introduction Trish Adudu highlighted the problem, “Tonight is the premier of Dirty Dancing the musical at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre, but not everyone is having the time of their life with the show. A group of musicians are planning to hold a peaceful demonstration outside of the Belgrade ahead of the show to express their anger at the show’s producers slashing the number of live musicians involved in the performance.”

Our view in the Musicians’ Union is that a musical should be exactly that” said the MU’s Stephen. “This production of Dirty Dancing is billed as the ‘ultimate live experience’, and we think music should be kept as live as possible. But the majority of music on the current production of Dirty Dancing uses a backing track. So that’s what this issue is all about.

“We’re here to protect the interests of musicians and the employment of musicians. That’s what the Musicians’ Union is all about. 

“And I think that if you compare the ticket prices on this tour to previous prices, they are fairly comparable. On the previous production there was an eight-piece live band, but on this production there are five actor-musicians and, as I say, the vast majority of music is actually a backing track.”

The Breakfast Show did ask the producers of Dirty Dancing for comment. They did not appear on the show but did send in a statement - in it, says Trish, “they talk about their concern that visits to the theatre are in danger of being spoilt by the ‘unnecessary bombardment of defamatory nonsense’”

If you think raising awareness of the value of live music is very necessary and not at all nonsense,  join our demonstration outside Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre from 6.30pm.  

You can listen to the full interview via BBC iPlayer, from 1:34 on 30/01/2017.

Get MU membership today

From gig players to part-time teachers and professional instrumentalists, MU members can access specialist insurance for musicians. This includes Public Liability, Instrument and Equipment Insurance, Accident Insurance, Tax Investigation Insurance, and Professional Indemnity Insurance for music teachers.

Explore our member services

  • Get public liability insurance for musicians
  • Access expert legal support
  • Be represented in your profession
  • Access expert career advice, resources, and training events
  • Connect, network, and get to know the community of musicians

Learn about all membership benefits

Get MU membership today

Continue reading

Top view of an acoustic violin and pernambuco wood bow on a tabletop.

Save Pernambuco Bows: Write to Your MP Today

The MU is calling on members to take urgent action to protect the future of high-quality bow making and the musicians who rely on it, after a proposal to move pernambuco wood from Appendix II to Appendix I.

Published: 10 July 2025

Read more about Save Pernambuco Bows: Write to Your MP Today
MU Head of ED&I John Shortell, with Regional Officer Simeon Scheuber-Rush and MU delegates, on the main stage in front of a blue screen saying “TUC LGBT+ Workers’ Conference 2025

MU Champions Global LGBTQ+ Rights at TUC Conference

Last week, MU members represented the Union at TUC’s annual LGBT+ Workers' Conference, where a motion was passed unanimously on protecting LGBTQ+ rights globally, the value of ED&I work, and promoting greater awareness of intersectional, LGBTQ+ inclusive health and safety issues.

Published: 08 July 2025

Read more about MU Champions Global LGBTQ+ Rights at TUC Conference
A panel event from last year in a tent. There are four people sat along a table in front of a crowd.

MU Panels and Workshop Confirmed for Tolpuddle Festival 2025

Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival takes place next weekend and we’re pleased to share more details about the MU’s presence at the event – including confirmed panel appearances, a workshop session, and the debut of our brand new union banner in Sunday’s iconic march.

Published: 08 July 2025

Read more about MU Panels and Workshop Confirmed for Tolpuddle Festival 2025