It's the cult film which has been dubbed 'Star Wars for girls' for its beloved story, classic lines and dance floor-filling music.

And now the smash-hit stage version of Dirty Dancing is heading for Glasgow as part of its first UK tour.

The city will be the first stop in Scotland for the show, which has continued to set records just like the original much-loved 1987 film starring the late Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey.

It has become the fastest selling tour ever, with £12million already paid for tickets before opening night in Bristol earlier this month.

The production, which has been three years in the making, will roll into the King's Theatre on October 19 for a run of almost four weeks.

It will be carried by 10 trucks, making it the biggest show on the road, at a cost of £2.5m.

And producer Karl Sydow, 57, reckons Glasgow's set to give it a big welcome.

He said: "During the press tour, Glasgow was the city where everyone was going nuts.

"Glasgow almost ate up our Johnny. He'll be lucky to get out of the city alive!

"I think it's better than the London production.

"We've learned so much through the years of producing Dirty Dancing.

"I'm really proud of it. Someone said to me it's like it was in London, only better."

The story, which like the movie includes the songs Hungry Eyes and She's Like The Wind, follows the sweet 17-year old Frances 'Baby' Houseman as she discovers love with sexy dance teacher Johnny Castle while on holiday.

The show is brought to life by a revolving stage and giant video screens as well as the famous scene when Johnny and Baby dance on a fallen log.

Karl said: "The video walls are state of the art and they're huge. It's very special technology."

There's a cast of 26 and an eight-strong band.

With lines such as 'Nobody puts Baby in the corner,' the script is true to the film - though there are 20 more scenes and 25 new songs.

Karl said: "Usually with shows they say you come out whistling the music, but our fans come in knowing every word of it. So you have to deliver."

The film and show, first staged in London in 2006, were written by Eleanor Bergstein.

The movie became one of the most successful independent productions ever made. It was the first film to sell 1m VHS cassettes, and the first to sell 1m DVDs.

More than 44m copies of the soundtrack have been bought.

The original choreographer of the film, High School Musical's Kenny Ortega has been announced as being behind a planned remake.

Karl says the success is down to the story.

He said: "It's a story people understand.

"Women understand Penny's story, she fell in love with a guy who didn't end up being the sort of person she thought he would be, and Baby ends up going from her dad's her most important person in life to her lover's most important person in life.

"I think most women experience that story one way or another."

Karl, originally from Chicago but who now lives in London, will be in Glasgow for opening night.

He's worked at the city's Citizens Theatre, where his last job was producing hit Beatles show Backbeat, which he's just about to open in London's West End.

He said: "I know the audience here. I know how tough they are. Get it wrong and they tear you apart, get it right and they really love it and really show it."

n Dirty Dancing runs from October 19 until November 12 at the King's Theatre. For tickets call 0844 871 7648 or visit www.ambassadortickets.com/glasgow

THE VERDICT

By Sarah Swain

I confess that somehow, I'd never watched the film properly until I heard the show was coming to Glasgow.

And of course when I saw it, I loved it.

However, there's always the worry that translating something iconic onto the stage could damage the magic.

But I think the show, which I saw at the tour premiere in Bristol ahead of its move to Glasgow, is just as good as the movie.

It's like seeing Baby and Johnny come to life.

And it's all there, from the watermelons to the rather steamy bedroom scene.

Outstanding dancing is complemented by fabulous singing - and I can't imagine they'll wait until the finale to mambo in the aisles in Glasgow.

And while nobody will ever replace Patrick, Paul-Michel Jones has a good go at the role.

He did get some boos in Bristol though - but only for putting his clothes back ON after climbing out of bed!

The moment when he enters from the stalls for the famous Time of My Life finale is simply spinetingling.

I just hope the King's has got security prepared, cause Glasgow's women ain't going to let him reach that stage without a fight.