In our ongoing Edinburgh Fringe 2026 interview series, we are speaking to artists and creatives who are bringing their shows to the Scottish capital this summer.
In this interview, we speak with Melissa Firlit about her show Dirty Dancer.
What can you tell me about your show?
Option 1:
It’s a one-woman Dirty Dancing, a collision between memory, obsession, youth and joy.
Baby Missy takes us inside the film she grew up loving, trying to piece together its iconic moments while also reconnecting with her adult self, Melissa. What unfolds is a playful, physical, and nostalgic reimagining of the film through the lens of someone who never really stopped living in it.
It’s a one-woman Dirty Dancing, a collision between memory, obsession, youth and joy.
Baby Missy takes us inside the film she grew up loving, trying to piece together its iconic moments while also reconnecting with her adult self, Melissa. What unfolds is a playful, physical, and nostalgic reimagining of the film through the lens of someone who never really stopped living in it.
It’s part parody, part love letter, and part joyful excavation of why certain stories stay with us forever.
Option 2:
I’m doing Dirty Dancing… alone.
It’s a one-woman reimagining of the film through Baby Missy’s eyes as she tries to recreate, relive, and make sense of the movie that shaped her. Along the way, she collides with her adult self, the characters, and her own memory of what she thought the film was.
Where did the inspiration for this piece come from?
I’ve seen so many brilliant one-person shows and parodies at the Edinburgh Fringe over the years as an audience member, and I realised: now is the time.
If I didn’t do this now, I knew the idea would pass me by.
Dirty Dancing is something people already associate with me. It felt like I was meant to finally share my version of it, full of discovery, joy and everything it’s meant to me.
At some point I just thought: if I don’t try this now, I never will.
How have you approached developing the show?
I started with the film itself, pulling the script apart and watching it repeatedly, looking for what felt inherently theatrical.
For each scene, I asked: how do I make this live in a room with an audience?
From there, I layered in my own experiences of the film: what it meant to me growing up, what I missed, what I misread. Then, I began building a performance that sits between the movie and my personal memory of it.
It’s been a process of constantly testing what belongs in the room with an audience.
How would you describe the style of the show?
It follows Baby Missy on a journey to find Adult Melissa, using different theatrical styles, physical storytelling, and audience interaction along the way.
It’s a mix of parody, nostalgia, movement, and direct storytelling, always shifting between worlds rather than sitting in one style.
Can you describe the show in 3 words?
Joyful. Funny. Nostalgic.
(And if I’m allowed a fourth: dance.)
How do you mentally and physically prepare for a run like the Fringe?
It’s a marathon, so it’s about stamina, physically and mentally.
Physically, I’m focusing on taking care of my body so I can perform every day in a demanding environment.
Mentally, it’s about staying grounded in the show itself, even when everything around it is constantly moving.
Away from your show, what are you most looking forward to about being in Edinburgh?
I love the Edinburgh Fringe. It’s one of the most special artistic experiences I’ve had.
There’s something about the way community sits at the center of everything here: the way people connect, support each other, and celebrate live performance. It feels like a place where creativity is really held up and shared.
What is one hidden gem in Edinburgh that everyone should visit?
For food: Mother India is a must.
For a local pint: Captain’s Bar or The Royal Oak.
Leith is also beautiful: just wandering, eating, and exploring the area is a joy.
The Meadows is essential: go, put your phone away, and just listen to the world around you.
And honestly, the biggest gem is the people. Don’t miss the chance to genuinely connect, whether it’s locals or fellow artists. That’s where the Fringe magic really is.
Are there any other shows at the Fringe you’d like to recommend?
Reuben Kaye: never miss this Fringe favorite!
Hole: if you didn’t see it last year, go.
Goodbye Horses: An Unauthorised Solo Retelling of The Silence of the Lambs by Michael Kinnan’s Never Let Go, I saw it in 2022 and can’t wait to see what he does next.
Mark Vigeant’s new work Out There. He did The Best Man Show last year, it was a good time!
And Xhloe and Natasha, Bigfoot Ripped My Dog in Half. They’re Fringe veterans, and I’m always excited to see what they do.
Mark Vigeant’s new work Out There. He did The Best Man Show last year, it was a good time!
And Xhloe and Natasha, Bigfoot Ripped My Dog in Half. They’re Fringe veterans, and I’m always excited to see what they do.
What was the first piece of theatre you saw which had a big impact on you?
Wow! Great question! A 2-person tour came to my elementary school and they sang a song, “The sky is falling. It hit me on the head. The sky is falling. I'm lucky I’m not dead.” It's been over 30+ years and I can still sing that tune. I watched riveted by this piece knowing I wanted to engage with the world like they were, for the rest of my life.
What do you hope an audience member takes away from seeing the show?
I hope they leave feeling joyful and a bit reconnected to their own memories: whatever shaped them, whatever made them feel something for the first time.
Nostalgia, joy, and whimsy are powerful things. I hope people remember their own version of that feeling when they leave the theatre.
Where and when can people see your show?
Dirty Dancer is at the Edinburgh Fringe at Underbelly Cowgate from 5 – 30 Aug (not 18) at 7:25pm. Ticket information here: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/dirty-dancer
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