Hairspray
You'd have to be a pretty miserable soul not to enjoy this uplifting belter of a musical
WhatsOnStage
Why see Hairspray?
You Can't Stop The Beat
Temporarily suspended - Due to a member of the production team testing positive for COVID-19, Hairspray is cancelled until July 20th
Good morning London! It's time to tease your barnets as the beloved hit Hairspray returns to the West End in 2021. Starring good old Michael Ball as Edna Turnblad (reprising his Olivier Award-winning role from the 2007 revival), this all singing all dancing adaptation of John Waters' 1988 cult classic is a glorious celebration of freedom, expression and hairdos will have you dancing to the beat all night long. Also starring is the one and only Les Dennis as the long-suffering Wilbur Turnblad, taking over from previously announced Paul Merton.
Including catchy tunes such as 'Good Morning Baltimore', 'I Can Hear The Bells', 'Welcome To The '60s' and many more from Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, Hairspray first graced London in '07 following its Tony-Award winning Broadway debut in 2003. Out of a record-breaking 11 Olivier noms it took home 3 including Best Musical, Best Actor for Ball and Best Actress for Leanne Jones.
What's the story?
It's 1962 and the Fifties are out. Change is on the horizon and the civil rights movement is gaining strength. Meet Baltimore's Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has only one passion; to dance on her local TV station show. However, she finds stiff competition in the form of slender, blonde Amber, who is meanness personified, coming second only to her pushy glamorous mother who is determined her daughter will win at all costs. With new friends in unlikely places, Tracy opens her eyes and her heart to fulfill her dreams - and help others along the way!
Please note
Micheal Ball will not be appearing on the following dates - 20th July, 17th August and 14th September.
Cast
Michael Ball as Edna Turnblad
Lizzie Bea as Tracy Turnblad
Marisha Wallace as Motormouth Maybelle
Les Dennis as Wilbur Turnblad
Rita Simmons as Velma Von Tussle
Johnny Amies as Link Larkin
Georgia Anderson as Amber von Tussle
Kimani Arthur as Little Inez
Creative
Music by Marc Shaiman
Lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman
Directed by Jack O'Brien
Choreography by Jerry Mitchell
Reviews
Customer reviews
8 reviews, average rating: (4.3 Stars)
Sharon Coulter
Outstanding
Please, please, please go back to the theatre and be a part of Hairspray. You will not be disappointed. Michael Ball was born to be Edna and Les Dennis was great as 'her' husband. Lizzie Bea (Tracy) is a brilliant new star. The soundtrack is wonderful and the whole show is so uplifting. The ovation at the end went on and on, the whole audience were on their feet singing, dancing and clapping along. It was wonderful to be back in the magical land of theatre. The cast looked as though they were having a brilliant time and threw themselves into their parts wholeheartedly. They were obviously as pleased to get back doing what they do best as the audience were to see them. It was a packed house, which was incredible to see after all this time. Well done to all and thank you for performing. ... Read more
Louisa B
Fantastic!
An excellent show. All the cast are equally outstanding. The standard of acting and singing is incredible and the fun chemistry between Michael Ball and Les Dennis is hysterical.
Our night was on Friday 13th August. There was a slight delay during the performance due to technical difficulties which only added to the fun atmosphere in the Coliseum.
Tracy Turnblad was played by the hugely talented Natalie Woods ... Read more
Jane Wilson
Natalie Woods as Tracy!!
I was lucky enough to get tickets last week for the performance with the understudy as Tracy Turnblad. Boy! Can that girl sing and dance!! What stamina. Thoroughly enjoyable night! My husband loved it even though he growled about going. ... Read more
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