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Hairspray - royal and derngate (uk tour).

The musical set in Baltimore in 1962 delivers a punchy piece about race and equality that feels more relevant than ever as we follow Tracy Turnblad and her wish for getting her favourite TV show fully integrated. 

The energy bursts from the cast and through to the audience on a  cold January  opening night.  Drew McOnie's lively, vibrant choreography is delivered with excellence by a tremendous company.  Visually the tour does lack a bit of the spectacle compared to previous stagings of the show, especially in the set design but if the set is a little lacking in places the cast and Philip Gladwell's colourful lighting more than makes up for it. 

Leading the production and the literal 'New Girl In Town' is Katie Brace who makes her professional debut as Tracy Turnblad. She is perfectly cast and brings all the right emotions and heart to the character. She has boundless energy and gorgeous vocals and mirroring Tracy's journey I expect big things will follow for Brace.

Matching Brace is another star turn from Rebecca Jayne-Davies who plays Tracy's best friend, Penny Pingleton. She manages to effectively portray Penny being both under the thumb of her mother whilst bringing out her own teenage desires that are waiting to be discovered. 

Tracy's larger-than-life parents are brought to life by Alex Bourne as Edna and Norman Pace as Wilbur Turnblad. Bourne does a fine job and has a likeable stage presence to her Edna whilst Pace rings the right cartoonish goofiness to his Wilbur. Together the pair deliver 'You're Timeless To Me' with humour that will have you in stitches of laughter.

Joshua Pearson understudies Link Larkin with skill as the character battles for his own big break with everything else going on around him. Rebecca Thornhill thrives as the nasty TV producer Velma Von Tussle as does Jessica Croll as her daughter Amber. Both have the right amount of nastiness without being too far over the top. Reece Richards brings terrific dance to his Seaweed and matches well with those around him.  Richard Meek dazzles as TV host Corny Collins.

Special mention must go to all the ensemble members who all move with the highest ability and enhance the piece brilliantly especially in the larger numbers.

Hairspray feels as timely as ever with its themes of racism and body positivity. Director Paul Kerryson's slick lively production ultimately will uplift and delight especially as the production heads towards its joyous final of 'You Can't Stop The Beat' which has the audience up on their feet for the curtain call reprise.

I defy you to not leave feeling uplifted as you exit the theatre. We all need a little bit of joy right now and Hairspray certainly offers this. Big, bold and beautiful.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Hairspray continues at Royal and Derngate until Saturday 5th February with tickets available from  royalandderngate.co.uk . The tour continues thereafter  https://www.hairsprayuktour.com/

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Hairspray uk tour.

Hairspray’s UK tour features a diverse cast that will ignite crowds and will make its fourth stop in the United Kingdom. This iteration of the UK tour will feature Matt Rixon as Edna Turnblad. Rixon is the key to the show’s success, with his major performances including: Merlin, Cinderella and Aladdin.

Norman Pace will play alongside Rixon as Wilbur Turnblad. Pace is a household name who is known more for his comedic performances than his acting performances. Pace is part of the Hale & Pace duo, and has a wealth of television experience that he has honed to bring his own portrayal of Wilbur to the stage.

Edward Chitticks has played roles in Ensemble and Mamma Mia and is a newcomer to the stage. He plays the show’s heartthrob Link Larkin.

Rebecca Mendoza will play the role of Tracy Turnblad. She is playing her first major role in Hairspray, but the crowd will quickly realize that Mendoza’s training has made her comfortable on stage.

Layton Willians plays Seaweed and has been on stage since the age of 12. He has been in several performances, but he is best known for his part in Thriller Live. He played the role of a young Michael Jackson in the performance.

The 1988 film’s rendition of the film is portrayed on stage with the same 1960s dance and music that has led millions of people across the world to see the production. The United Kingdom’s first Hairspray production was a West End production held at Shaftsbury Theatre.

Hairspray was a major success at the theater, surpassing the 1,000-show mark and being performed for two and a half years before the original production stopped.

Tracy’s journey takes the stage, with the hair and big girl dream of making it to television. The show features Tracy as she tries to dance her way into television, first becoming a star in her home town before falling for the local heartthrob Link Larkin.

Baltimore 1962 is where Tracy starts her transition to fame, with the stage bringing viewers back to a time where hairspray, muscle cars and small-town dreams filled the landscape. Tracy’s determination and fight for fame lands her into a whirlwind of a life where her hard work leads to a life that once seemed unimaginable.

The entire night is filled with singing, dancing and laughter.

The cast’s singing and dancing includes choreography by Drew McOnie.

Paul Kerryson directs the show, while the lyrics and music are from Marc Shaiman.

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Casting for Hairspray 2021/2022 UK and Ireland tour

Bourne ( Annie , Mamma Mia! ) will step into the distinctive high hair and high heels of Edna Turnblad opposite comedy star Pace ( Chicago , The Rocky Horror Show ) who returns to the role of Wilbur Turnblad with former X-Factor finalist turned musical theatre star and TV ‘loose woman’ Edwards ( Chicago , We Will Rock You ) also returning as Motormouth Maybelle.

They will be joined by Katie Brace who will make her professional stage debut as Tracy Turnblad with Rebecca Thornhill as Velma, Richard Meek as Corny Collins, Ross Clifton as Link Larkin, Jessica Croll as Amber, Rebecca Jane Davies as Penny and Charlotte St. Croix as Little Inez.

The cast will also include: Elizabeth Armstrong, Bernadette Bangura, Natalia Brown, Shaquille Brush, Liam Dean, Andrew Dillion, Amandla Elynah, Zoe Heighton, Ceris Hine, Paul Hutton, Jamie Jonathan, Hayley Johnston, Joshua Nkemdilim, Rosie O’Hare, Alexanda O’Reilly, Joshua Pearson, Joseph Poulton and Elliotte Williams-N’Dure.

Originally due to begin performances in August last year, Mark Goucher and Matthew Gale’s third major UK and Ireland tour of their successful version of the hit musical Hairspray will follow its opening run in Plymouth by visiting the Cheltenham Everyman Theatre; the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton; Manchester’s Palace Theatre; Sheffield Lyceum; Ipswich Regent Theatre; Aylesbury Waterside Theatre; Liverpool Empire; The Alhambra Theatre in Bradford; Brighton Theatre Royal; Birmingham Hippodrome; Leicester Curve; Nottingham Theatre Royal; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre; Dublin’s Bord Gáis Energy Theatre; the Grand Opera House Belfast; New Victoria Theatre, Woking; Milton Keynes Theatre and Blackpool Grand Theatre. The 2022 section of the tour will begin at the Sunderland Empire followed by Wycombe Swan, Royal and Derngate Northampton, Bromley’s Churchill Theatre, Cardiff New Theatre, Edinburgh Playhouse, The Orchard Theatre, Dartford and Glasgow King’s Theatre. Further 2022 dates are to be announced.

Directed by Paul Kerryson, the show has choreography by Drew McOnie, musical direction by Ben Atkinson, set and costume design by takis, lighting design by Philip Gladwell and sound design by Ben Harrison.

Based on cult filmmaker John Waters’ 1988 film which starred Divine and Ricki Lake, Hairspray boasts music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman and book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan.

With Harvey Fierstein starring as Edna, Hairspray debuted to rave reviews on Broadway in 2002 and subsequently won eight Tony Awards including Best Musical and the leading actor award for Fierstein.

Premiering in London at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 2007, the show won four Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Musical and the Best Actor Award for Michael Ball.

The touring production featuring direction by Kerryson and choreography by McOnie launched at Leicester Curve in 2015, and returned in 2017 for a second successful tour which ended in August 2018.

Hairspray is one of two major touring productions from Goucher’s independent production company returning this summer with the support of the UK Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund. Goucher and first-time producer Jason Donovan are also due to bring their crowd-pleasing production of hit musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert back for a number of tour dates from 23 June ahead of a hoped-for West End return.

Angela Thomas

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Alex Bourne , Brenda Edwards , Charlotte St. Croix , Drew McOnie , Hairspray , Jessica Croll , Katie Brace , Mark Goucher , Matthew Gale , Norman Pace , Paul Kerryson , Plymouth Theatre Royal , Rebecca Jane Davies , Rebecca Thornhill , Richard Meek , Ross Clifton

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★★★★☆   Pump up the volume

Playhouse: Mon 14 – Sat 19 Mar 2022 Review by Martin Gray

Unlikely civil rights heroine Tracy Turnblad dances her way to a social justice triumph as Hairspray returns to the Playhouse for a week until Saturday and comes back to Glasgow at the end of the month.

There some shows that come to Edinburgh so regularly that skipping them is the only way to stay sane. Not Hairspray , though. The musical, based on the John Waters film, is such a blast of sunshine with its songs by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman that a great presentation can have you smiling for weeks.

Richard Meek, Katie Brace and Reece Richards with the ensemble. Pic Mark Senior

I’m grinning as I write this and I fully expect the expression to hang around for a while after enjoying this touring treat in a deservedly packed house.

It’s 1962 and teenage Tracy Turnblad wants nothing more than to dance with ‘The Nicest Kids in Town’ on The Corny Collins Show  an after-school pop show. With cast member Brenda indisposed for, er, nine months, there’s an opening.

While there’s resistance from producer Velma Von Tussle – she’s not down with Tracy being slightly chubby – our heroine’s charm, pep and sheer dance talent win her a spot. But there’s another battle to be fought – to get African-American kids on the show regularly, rather than solely on the monthly, token ‘Negro Day’.

ridiculously singable

Helping out are Tracy’s best pal Penny Pingleton, parents Edna and Wilbur, record shop owner Motormouth Maybelle and more.

Hairspray is a full-on Broadway musical, replete with colour, life and ridiculously singable songs and hi-energy dancing, but it deftly delivers the traditional glam and glitter while facing up to all kinds of prejudices – race, body shape, class and age.

Katie Brace. Pic: Mark Senior.

The show’s success depends in large part – no gag intended – on whether you like Tracy. Safe to say that Katie Brace, in her professional debut, doesn’t disappoint. She has the moves, she has the puppyish charm and she has the voice – though it’s occasionally tough to make out lyrics… A little more concentration in the annunciation department and she’ll be there.

Brace works brilliantly with the rest of the cast, particularly Rebecca Jayne-Davies as Penny who is inspired to break free from her over-possessive – think roped to the bed – mother, by Tracy’s attitude that you don’t accept an unfair world, you change it.

Speaking of mothers, Alex Bourne is magnificent as laundress Edna, who regains the woman she was with a hand from Tracy. Bourne somehow manages to be constantly winking to the audience without actually blinking, and his big baritone makes for some cracking comedy moments.

a theatrical bonfire of brilliance

Bourne is paired with TV comedy favourite Norman Pace as Wilbur, from whom Tracy gets her irrepressible optimism. Wilbur has a quiet first act, but when his big duet with Edna arrives in the second half, boy, does Pace show what he can do.

Pace and Bourne are pure Vaudeville in their delivery of You’re Timeless to Me , a love song that manages to be hilarious yet deeply touching. The chemistry between the two is off the scale, it’s two pairs of funny bones rubbing against one another to create a theatrical bonfire of brilliance.

Alex Bourne and Norman Pace. Pic Mark Senior

In a show full of fantastic tunes – Good Morning Baltimore , Without Love , I Can Hear the Bells – You’re Timeless garners the biggest response. If there’s a better moment on the Edinburgh stage this year, I’ll be amazed.

While the rest of the songs are basically feel good, there is a poignancy to I Know Where I’ve Been , as Motormouth Maybelle opens her heart about her lifelong fight to be more than a second-class citizen. The song is beautifully delivered by Bernadette Bangura (depping in for the indisposed Brenda Edwards) who provides precision without skimping on emotion.

Rebecca Thornhill has a whale of a time as Velma Von Tussle, the wicked queen of The Corny Collins Show, especially in her big number, Miss Baltimore Crabs . Richard Meek is adorably sweet as TV host Corny Collins, Ross Clifton makes an amusingly narcissistic Link Larkin, the object of Tracy’s affection, and Jessica Croll is a hoot as Amber Von Tussle, Velma’s Mini-Me.

bundle of dynamite

Charlotte St Croix is a bundle of dynamite as Motormouth’s daughter Little Inez, barred from even auditioning for the TV show by her race, while Reece Richards brings real warmth, and a lovely voice, to her brother Seaweed, who basically brings on puberty for Penny.

The entire ensemble produce great work, their energy levels off the scale as they show off Drew McOnie’s sharp choreography, aided by a fantastic orchestra led by Rickey Long. This production boasts refreshed orchestrations from Ben Atkinson, and they work beautifully, bringing an almost big band flavour to the pop stylings of The Corny Collins Show – and for once having the band on stage made sense. The musicians aren’t always in view, mind, with subtly clever back projections supplementing the adaptable set.

The show ends with the irresistible You Can’t Stop the Beat , reminding us that no matter how bad things are, people power can make things better. Enjoy the music, absorb the message – that’s a pretty powerful Hairspray .

Running time: 2 hours 30 minutes (including one interval) Edinburgh Playhouse , 18 – 22 Greenside Place, EH1 3AA. Monday 14 – Saturday 19 March 2022 Evenings: 7.30pm, Mats Weds, Sat: 2.30pm. Tickets and details: Book here .

Glasgow King’s Theatre , 297 Bath St, Glasgow G2 4JN Mon 28 March – Sat 2 April 2022 Evenings: 7.30, Weds, Sat mat: 2.30pm. Tickets and details:   Book here .

The cast of Hairspray. Pic Mark Senior

Tags: Alex Bourne , Ben Atkinson , Bernadette Bangura , Charlotte St Croix , Drew McOnie , Hairspray , Hairspray the Musical , Jessica Croll , Katie Brace , Martin Gray , Musicals , Norman Pace , Playhouse , Rebecca Thornhill , Reece Richards , Review , Richard Meek , Rickey Long , Ross Clifton

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Hairspray Creatives Brenda Edwards and Paul Kerryson credit Ellie Kurttz

Brenda Edwards to Direct New UK and Ireland Tour of Hairspray

Brenda Edwards ( Loose Women , ITV; We Will Rock You , London Coliseum) who has previously played “Motormouth” Maybelle in three tours of Hairspray will join the creative team alongside Paul Kerryson ( Chicago , Sweeney Todd ; Curve Theatre) to direct a new production of Hairspray which will embark on a major national UK and Ireland tour in 2024.

Choreographed by Olivier Award winner Drew McOnie ( In the Heights , King’s Cross Theatre; Jesus Christ Superstar , Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) the major national UK and Ireland tour will open in Manchester at the Palace Theatre on 16 th July 2024 and tour through to July 2025.

Open Auditions will be held in November 2023. Please visit the website for more details: www.hairsprayuktour.com

Brenda Edwards said: “I couldn’t be more thrilled to be invited by the producers to make my directorial debut on the show as a co-director with Paul Kerryson. Hairspray, and this production in particular, has been such a huge part of my life. The show’s story and themes are as relevant as ever and I cannot wait to hold the open auditions to discover a new cast and work together to present a vibrant new production of this timeless musical for everyone to enjoy.”

Spanning a career of more than 18 years across television, film and stage, Brenda Edwards rose to fame following her success on The X-Factor in 2005. In 2006, she was presented with the Screen Nation Award for Favourite Reality TV Star and went on to become a regular panellist on ITV’s Loose Women as well as presenting BBC’s  Songs of Praise  and ITV’s  Carols at Christmas (both in 2021). In 2022 she began working as a presenter for QVC, with whom she has since created her own clothing line, BeU by Brenda Edwards.

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Initial Casting and Further Dates Announces for Hairspray UK and Ireland Tour

Full Cast Announced For World Premiere Stage Production Of The Artist

Completing the creative team is Set and Costume Design by Takis, Lighting Design by Philip Gladwell, Sound Design by Ben Harrison, Musical Supervising and Arrangement by Ben Atkinson, Musical Direction by Richard Atkinson, Projection Design by George Reeve, Casting by Grindrod Burton and Resident Direction by Juliet Gough.

After breaking box office records and delighting audiences in the West End, on Broadway and on the big screen since 1988, the timeless story of Hairspray centres around heroine Tracy Turnblad, who has big hair, a big heart, and big dreams to dance her way onto national TV, and into the heart of teen idol Link Larkin. When Tracy becomes a local star, she is able to use her newfound fame to fight for liberation, tolerance, and interracial unity in Baltimore. But can she win equality – and Link’s heart – without denting her ’do?

This iconic musical comedy featuring some of musical theatre’s best hit songs including  Welcome To The 60s, You Can’t Stop The Beat and Good Morning Baltimore by Academy Award, Tony and Emmy winning duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman will visit venues including : Manchester Palace (16 – 27 July), Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre (29 July – 3 August), Canterbury Marlowe (6 – 10 August), Liverpool Empire (19 – 24 August), Belfast Grand Opera House (26 – 31 August), Milton Keynes Theatre (2 – 7 September ), Southend Cliffs Pavilion (9 – 14 September), Birmingham Hippodrome (16 – 21 September), Edinburgh Playhouse (7 – 12 October), Sheffield Theatres (14 – 19 September ), New Wimbledon Theatre (21 – 26 September), Nottingham Theatre Royal (4 – 9 November), Newcastle Theatre Royal (11 – 16 November), Hull New Theatre (18 – 23 November), Bradford Theatres (25 – Sat 30 November), Southampton Mayflower (6 – 11 January), Aberdeen His Majesty’s Theatre (20 – 25 January), Glasgow Kings Theatre (27 Jan – 1 February 2024), Further dates will be announced in due course.

Listings and ticket information can be found here

Hairspray is produced by Mark Goucher, Matthew Gale, and Laurence Myers.

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Hairspray UK Tour

Hairspray the Musical UK Tour returns in 2024!  Initial dates have been announced… Sign up to our touring alerts and we'll let you know when tickets go on sale.

HAIRSPRAY THE MUSICAL TOUR - 2024 / 2025 DATES & TICKETS

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YOU CAN'T STOP THE BEAT - HAIRSPRAY THE MUSICAL IS BACK!

Smash-hit musical Hairspray is set to tour the UK and Ireland next year in a major new production co-directed by Brenda Edwards.

Brenda Edwards will make her directorial debut as she joins Paul Kerryson to direct the 2024/25 touring production alongside award-winning choreographer Drew McOnie.

The Loose Women panelist has previously played ‘Motormouth' Maybelle in three tours of Hairspray, as well as appearing We Will Rock You and Chicago.

Brenda Edwards said: “I couldn’t be more thrilled to be invited by the producers to make my directorial debut on the show as a co-director with Paul Kerryson. Hairspray, and this production in particular, has been such a huge part of my life. The show’s story and themes are as relevant as ever and I cannot wait to hold the open auditions to discover a new cast and work together to present a vibrant new production of this timeless musical for everyone to enjoy.”

WHAT IS HAIRSPRAY THE MUSICAL ABOUT?

It’s Baltimore 1962, where Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, is on a mission to follow her dreams and dance her way onto national TV. Tracy’s audition makes her a local star and soon she is using her new-found fame to fight for equality, bagging local heartthrob Link Larkin along the way.

Hairspray  is a musical based on the 1988 film of the same name which starred Divine and Ricki Lake by cult filmmaker John Waters. With music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman  Hairspray  originally opened to rave reviews on Broadway in 2002 and subsequently won eight Tony Awards. The production opened in London at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 2007 and won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical, Best Actor in a Musical, Best Actress in a Musical and Best Performance in a Supporting Role.

Proving to be an international success, Hairspray has also opened in South Africa, Japan, South Korea, China and Dubai. Following the musical’s phenomenal success on stage, a film of the musical was released in 2007 which starred John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer and James Marsden.

HAIRSPRAY UK TOUR - THE CAST & CREATIVE

*Joanne Clifton will join the cast from the  09 Sep .

Original Screenplay –  John Waters Book – Mark O'Donnell & Thomas Meehan Composer/Co-Lyricist – Marc Shaiman Lyrics – Scott Wittman & Marc Shaiman Directors – Paul Kerryson / Brenda Edwards Choreographer – Drew McOnie

WATCH THE VIDEO TRAILER FOR HAIRSPRAY THE MUSICAL!

Listen to music from hairspray the musical, did you find this useful if so, would you 'like' our facebook page, thank you we are new, and every 'like' goes a long way :).

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5 Reasons To See ‘Hairspray’ UK Tour 2022

• Post author By thestageycouple
• Post date 11th January 2022
• No Comments on 5 Reasons To See ‘Hairspray’ UK Tour 2022

Sunderland Empire, 10/01/2022

Good Evening Sunderland! It’s 1962 in Baltimore and Tracy Turnblad is waking up for another day of the same old life in a narrow minded town but still as optimistic as ever about it. An audition comes up for Tracy at a local TV dance show and she wants to take that opportunity to change the world for the better, which doesn’t sit well with some…

Read on for our five reasons why you should see Hairspray on its UK tour!

1. Katie Brace as Tracy Turnblad

Sunderland-born and bred Katie Brace makes her professional debut on this tour as the leading lady. The raucous reception for Brace throughout the show is so well deserved as she completely encapsulates everything Tracy Turnblad is about; beaming with excitement and optimism from the first beat until the curtain call. Brace is note perfect and delivers the comedy of the role impeccably too. An outstanding performance from a new name who is quite obviously having the time of her life up there. Definitely a name to look out for in the future!

2. There’s such energy from every performance

Hairspray is a fast and energetic show, and this tour does not disappoint with the effort that the cast out into the choreography. Almost every song throughout the show requires the cast to be dancing with a lot of enthusiasm, making the audience wonder how a cast can move so much and perform numbers so well at the same time. Whether it’s The Twist or The Mashed Potato, the cast have you itching to be on your feet and joining in.

3. The script is really funny

Every scene across the show is packed with little one-liners and puns that are delivered by many members of the cast. The jokes really complement the optimistic nature of the story and allow the show to flow so well keeping the audiences attention between each big number. A comedic highlight is the epilogue of ‘You’re Timeless To Me’ performed by Alex Bourne (Edna Turnblad) and Norman Pace (Wilbur Turnblad); not only do they have the audience in stitches but can barely contain themselves too.

4. The songs in this show are infectious

Many people will know the classic track ‘You Can’t Stop The Beat’ but this show is packed with timeless songs, each one being more of an ear worm than the last. Songs like ‘Welcome To The 60s’ and ‘You’re Timeless To Me’ will be stuck in your head for days. A standout performance with regards to musical numbers is Brenda Edwards as Motormouth Maybelle. Her numbers ‘Big, Blonde and Beautiful’ and especially ‘I Know Where I’ve Been’ blow the roof off the auditorium as she belts out those notes.

5. The message of the show

The morals of Hairspray as a story are all about inclusion. Inclusion regardless of skin or body type and while this was set in the 60s where integration was just beginning, the message stands very much in this day and age too. If the audience can take home anything from Tracy’s story, it’s that no matter who you are or what you may look like, you belong in society and deserve to have a voice and be heard!

Hairspray is such a fun show, packed with great songs and hilarious dialogue. If you’re up for an evening out to forget the worries of life and enjoy a fun show, this is for you! Find remaining tickets and tour dates by clicking here!

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By thestageycouple

A married couple sharing our love for Theatre, Film & Tv!

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Hairspray musical tour full cast announced

Find out who’ll be joining Brenda Edwards and Norman Pace

The touring production of Hairspray has unveield full casting.

Opening at Theatre Royal Plymouth (subject to the easing of restrictions) on 24 June 2021, the much-loved musical will head out to theatres across the UK and Ireland.

Hairspray the Musical is based on the 1988 film by John Waters and starred Divine and Ricki Lake. It tells the story of Tracy Turnblad, a Baltimore schoolgirl in 1962 who is determined to follow her dreams and perform on national TV.

Katie Brace will make her professional stage debut as Tracy Turnblad with Brenda Edwards as Motormouth Maybelle, Norman Pace as Wilbur Turnblad alongside West End leading man Alex Bourne as Edna Turnblad.

Also appearing are Rebecca Thornhill as Velma, Richard Meek as Corny Collins, Ross Clifton as Link Larkin, Jessica Croll as Amber Von Tussle, Rebecca Jane Davies as Penny Pingleton and Charlotte St Croix as Little Inez.

The full cast includes: Elizabeth Armstrong, Bernadette Bangura, Natalia Brown, Shaquille Brush, Liam Dean, Andrew Dillion, Amandla Elynah, Zoe Heighton, Ceris Hine, Paul Hutton, Jamie Jonathan, Hayley Johnston, Joshua Nkemdilim, Rosie O'Hare, Alexanda O'Reilly, Joshua Pearson, Joseph Poulton and Elliotte Williams-N'Dure.

After Plymouth, the production will visit the following venues in 2021: Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, Manchester Palace Theatre, Sheffield Lyceum, Ipswich Regent Theatre, Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Edinburgh Playhouse, The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford, Brighton Theatre Royal, Birmingham Hippodrome, Leicester Curve, Nottingham Theatre Royal, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Bord Gáis Energy Theatre Dublin, Grand Opera House Belfast, New Victoria Theatre, Woking, Milton Keynes Theatre and Blackpool Grand Theatre. More dates are to be announced for 2022.

Featuring music and lyrics by the Academy Award-winning duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, and a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, this production is directed by Paul Kerryson and have choreography by Drew McOnie. The full creative team and cast are still to be announced.

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Photos/Video: First Look at the New Cast of HAIRSPRAY on Tour, Featuring Andrew Levitt aka Nina West

The cast is also led by Niki Metcalf as Tracy Turnblad, Sandie Lee as Motormouth Maybelle, Charlie Bryant III as Seaweed J. Stubbs, and more!

All new photos and video have been released of the new cast of the North American tour of Hairspray, helmed by Jack O'Brien and Jerry Mitchell . Check out the clips and photos below!

The cast is led by Andrew Levitt aka Nina West (from "RuPaul's Drag Race") as Edna Turnblad , Niki Metcalf as Tracy Turnblad, Sandie Lee as Motormouth Maybelle, Charlie Bryant III as Seaweed J. Stubbs, Nick Cortazzo as Link Larkin, Ralph Prentice Daniel as Wilbur Turnblad, Billy Dawson as Corny Collins, Ryahn Evers as Amber Von Tussle, Addison Garner as Velma Von Tussle, Emery Henderson as Penny Pingleton and Joi D. McCoy as Little Inez.

The ensemble consists of Sydney Archibald , Kelly Barberito , Tommy Betz , Helene Britany , Caroline Eiseman, Melanie Puente Ervin , Craig First , Alex Fullerton , Annie Gagen , Carly Haig , Lauren Johnson , Sabrina Joseph , Greg Kalafatas , Kyle Kavully , Matthew J. Kelly , McLaine Meachem , Faith Northcutt , Nicholas Dion Reese , Sage, Micah Sauvageau , Clint Maddox Thompson , Jade Turner , Mickey White and Emmanuelle Zeesman .

HAIRSPRAY is the story of 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad in 1960's Baltimore as she sets out to dance her way onto TV's most popular show. Can a girl with big dreams (and even bigger hair) change the world? Featuring the beloved score of hit songs including "Welcome to the 60's," "Good Morning Baltimore," and "You Can't Stop the Beat," HAIRSPRAY is "fresh, winning, and deliriously tuneful!" (The New York Times).

This new touring production reunites Broadway's award-winning creative team, led by Director Jack O'Brien and Choreographer Jerry Mitchell , to bring HAIRSPRAY to a new generation of theater audiences. HAIRSPRAY is based on the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters , who served as a creative consultant on the musical comedy. It features a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan . HAIRSPRAY features an original score by Academy Award-nominated Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman . The tour is produced by NETworks Presentations .

Additional creative team for HAIRSPRAY includes Tour Director Matt Lenz , Tour Choreographer Robbie Roby , Set Designer David Rockwell , Lighting Designer Kenneth Posner , Tour Lighting Designer Paul Miller , Costume Designer William Ivey Long , Hair and Wig Designer Paul Huntley and Bernie Ardia , Sound Designer Shannon Slaton , Music Supervisor Keith Thompson and Casting by Stewart/Whitley.

HAIRSPRAY premiered at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theater in June 2002. The show was a smash hit when it transferred to Broadway, winning eight 2003 Tony Awards including Best Musical, and became the longest-running musical to play the Neil Simon Theater, running 2,642 performances from July 18, 2002, until January 4, 2009. It is the 22nd longest running show in Broadway history.

Learn more at www.hairspraytour.com .

Photo Credit: Jeremy Daniel

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