Closex
Hairspray
The musical tale of Tracy Turnblad - a big girl with big hair and a big heart - who becomes an overnight celebrity.
Operated by The Society of London Theatre
Hairspray
Shaftesbury Theatre, 210 Shaftesbury Avenue, LondonSet in 1962 Baltimore, Hairspray is the musical tale of Tracy Turnblad - a big girl with big hair and a big heart who loves to dance - who becomes an overnight celebrity when she wins a spot on the local TV dance programme, the Corny Collins Show. Determined to prove that dancing is for everyone, whatever their size or colour, the irrepressible Tracy sets out to bring Baltimore kicking and screaming into the 60s. But can our heroine upstage the programme's current princess, bring integration to Baltimore and win the love of heartthrob Link Larkin without denting her 'do?
Hairspray is based on the film written and directed by John Waters, which starred actress-turned-chatshow-host Ricki Lake as teenager Tracy. A new film, based on the musical, was released in 2007 starring John Travolta as Tracy's mother Edna.
The American production of Hairspray won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, seven Drama Desk awards, five Critics' Circle Awards and a Grammy for the original cast recording.
The UK production of Hairspray opened in October 2007 and went on to win four 2008 Laurence Olivier Awards: Best Actor in a Musical, Best Actress in a Musical, Best Supporting Performance in a Musical and Best New Musical.
Hairspray currently stars comedian Brian Conley, who dons a dress to play Edna Turnblad, newcomer Chloe Hart as Tracy and 80s pop star Belinda Carlisle as the evil Velma Von Tussle.
For more about Hairspray read the First Night Feature or Introducing... Chloe Hart.
Cast & CreativesEXPAND
cast: Brian Conley, Chloe Hart, Belinda Carlisle, Micky Dolenz, Sharon D Clarke, Verity Rushworth, Liam Tamne, Adrian Hansel, Raquel Jones, Nicola Brazil, Gavin Alex
director: Jack O'Brien
lyrics by: Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman
book By: Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan
choreographer: Jerry Mitchell
producer: Stage Entertainment UK Ltd, Margo Lion, New Line Cinema, The Baruch • Viertel • Routh • Frankel Group, Elizabeth Williams, James D Stern / Douglas L Meyer, Cynthia Stroum
Ticket Prices:
£22.50-£62.50
About the show
- Age Suitability: General
- Genre: Musical
- Sub-Genre: Musical-Comedy
- Show Times: Tue-Sat 19:30, Mats Thu, Sat & Sun 15:00
- Duration: 2h30
- opening night:
- Box Office:
020 7379 5399 - Visit the Show Website
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Fri 05 Sep 2008 00:16Double celebration for Ball and Hairspray
Venue InformationHIDE
Shaftesbury Theatre
210 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, United Kingdom, WC2H 8DP
- Nearest tube: Holborn/Tottenham Court Road/Covent Garden Approx. 400m
- Nearest bus: 8, 10, 14, 19, 22A, 22B, 24, 25, 29, 38, 40, 55, 73, 134, 176
- Parking: Westminter City Council car park at China Town, NCP at Museum Street, Drury Lane, Upper St Martin’s Lane, Parker Mews (approx. 200m)
- Air conditioned: 1
- Download an Enabled Map
Venue Access InformationEXPAND
- How to book: Tel: 020 7379 5399 Fax: 020 7836 0466
- Telephones: The Front Of House Manager can assist with ordering taxis for disabled patrons after the show.
- Discounts: Concessions vary according to the current production.
- Limited mobility: Good legroom is available in row M of the Stalls - these seats are not suitable for ambulant disabled as these are down 22 steps. Low numbered Royal Circle seats have less steps.
- Access description: The entrance to the theatre is made up of three sets of double, glass panelled doors with no step. The doors open towards you and there is a handle on each door. The Box Office isahead of you on the right hand side. The main entrance to the Stalls is through the first door on the right and straight down the stairs to the auditorium.
- Hearing impaired: Infra-red system with 20 headsets and 15 neckloops. Collect from foyer sweet kiosk.
- Guide dogs policy: Guide dogs allowed in the auditorium, or theatre staff can look after them.
- Wheelchairs: Spaces for 4 wheelchairs in Boxes A and B (entrance approx. 73cm) which are down 3 steps off a corridor to the left of the box office. You will need help negotiating the steps. Transfer seating available to row A4 - 10 in the Royal Circle, the entrance to which is level from the foyer.
- Toilets: Women’s up 4 steps from the foyer and a men’s beyond this, 2 steps down off the Circle bar. Further toilets at back of Stalls and Grand Circle levels.
- Disabled toilets: Adapted toilet adjacent to the Royal Circle and acessed through the door next to the Box Office, taking the first right followed by a sharp left.
- Bars: 5 licensed bars. Access information: Drinks may be taken into the auditorium. The Foyer bar is 4 steps up from the foyer. There are 2 bars at Royal Circle, one at Grand Circle and one at Stalls. There is limited seating.
