Hairspray UK Tour cast has been announced
The tour will open at the Palace Theatre in Manchester or 16 July
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.
The cast will include Neil Hurst as Edna Turnblad, Joanne Clifton and Gina Murray as Velma Von Tussle (Gina Murray performing the role from 16 July to 7 September only), Michelle Ndegwa as Motormouth Maybelle, Soloman Davy as Link Larkin, Declan Egan as Corny Collins, Alexandra Emmerson-Kirby as Tracy Turnblad, Katlo as Little Inez, Reece Richards as Seaweed, Allana Taylor as Amber Von Tussle and Freya McMahon as Penny Pingleton. The ensemble includes Ben Anderson, Grace Anyiam, Nina Bell, Joseph Bristow, Vanessa Dumatey, Rebecca French, Stuart Hickey, Marcellus Hill, Shemar Jarrett, Kirsty Sparks, Jaiden Lodge, Olly Manley, Sasha Monique, Jacob Smith, Issie Wilman and Joseph Bristow, Ryan Appiah-Sarpong, Duncan Burt, Shaniquah Notice-Morris and Emily Ann Potter will complete the company.
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.
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.”
Further creative team members are set and costume designer Takis, lighting designer Philip Gladwell, sound designer Ben Harrison, musical supervisor and arranger Ben Atkinson, musical director and supervisor Richard Atkinson, video designer George Reeve and resident director Juliet Gough. The casting is by Grindrod Burton.
Tour stops and dates:
Manchester Palace Theatre from 16 to 27 July
Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff from 29 July to 3 August
Canterbury The Marlowe Theatre from 6 to 10 August
Cheltenham Everyman Theatre from 13 to 17 August
Liverpool Empire from 19 to 24 August
Belfast Grand Opera House from 26 to 31 August
Milton Keynes Theatre from 2 to 7 September
Southend Cliffs Pavilion from 9 to 14 September
Birmingham Hippodrome from 16 to 21 September
Curve Leicester from 23 to 28 September
Theatre Royal Brighton from 30 September to 5 October
Edinburgh Playhouse from 7 to 12 October
Sheffield Lyceum Theatre from 14 to 19 October
New Wimbledon Theatre from 21 to 26 October
York Grand Opera House from 28 October to 2 November
Nottingham Theatre Royal from 4 to 9 November
Newcastle Theatre Royal from 11 to 16 November
Hull New Theatre from 18 to 23 November
Bradford Alhambra Theatre from 25 to 30 November
Southampton Mayflower Theatre from 6 to 11 January
Truro Hall for Cornwall from 13 to 18 January
His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen from 20 to 25 January
Glasgow Kings Theatre from 27 January to 1 February
Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from 3 to 8 February
Norwich Theatre Royal from 10 to 15 February
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre from 17 to 22 February
Bristol Hippodrome Theatre from 24 February to 1 March
Derry/Londonderry Millennium Forum Theatre from 10 March to 15 March
Dartford The Orchard Theatre from 24 March to 29 March
Woking New Victoria Theatre from 31 March to 5 April
Llandudno Venue Cymru from 7 to 12 April
Sunderland Empire from 14 to 19 April
