Theater News

Full Casting Announced for London Production of Hairspray

Michael Ball
Michael Ball

Full casting has been announced for the London production of Hairspray, which will open at the Shaftesbury Theatre on October 30, with previews starting on October 11. It will be directed by Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien, who directed the Broadway production.

Joining previously announced stars Michael Ball as Edna Turnblad, Mel Smith as Wilbur Turnblad, and Leanne Jones as Tracy Turnblad, will be Tracie Bennett as Velma Von Tussle, Natalie Best as Inez, Dermot Canavan as Male Authority Figure, Elinor Collett as Penny Pingleton, Johnnie Fiori as Motormouth Maybelle, Adrian Hansel as Seaweed, Paul Manuel as Corny Collins, Wendy Somerville as Female Authority Figure, and Rachel Wooding as Amber Von Tussle.

Also in the cast are Gavin Alex, Fem Belling, Philip Catchpole, Lewis Davies, Helen Dixon, Emma Dodd, Tim Frater, Kate Gillespie, Ewan Gillies, Nicky Griffiths, Jenii Hicks, Holly James, Sandra Marvin, Terel Nugent, Michael Peters, Adam Price, Charlotte Riby, Dominic Shaw, Neil Toon, Michael Vinsen, Zara Warren, and Jacqui Zvimba.

Based on the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters, Hairspray focuses on an overweight teenager in Baltimore whose efforts help to integrate a racially segregated TV dance show. Hairspray has a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, music by Marc Shaiman, and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman. The show recently celebrated its fifth anniversary on Broadway.

As on Broadway, the show in London will feature choreography by Jerry Mitchell, scenic design by David Rockwell, costumes by William Ivey Long, lighting by Kenneth Posner, and sound by Steve C. Kennedy.

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Hairspray

Closed: March 28, 2010