05 Sep 2008
Hit musical Hairspray has been celebrating as only it can this week, with a couple of reasons to be very happy. Michael Ball has extended his season as the larger-than-life Edna Turnblad and the show has sold its 500,000th ticket. Read more
Set 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.
Michael Ball was one of those winners for his portrayal of Edna Turnblad. One of musical theatre's enduring stars, Ball has appeared in numerous shows including Aspects Of Love, Les Miserables, Passion, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Woman In White and The Phantom Of The Opera. He is also a celebrated recording artist and has a regular programme on Radio 2.
Ball's young co-star in Hairspray, Leanne Jones, made her West End debut in the role of Tracy, picking up a Laurence Olivier Award for this, her first job since leaving drama school.
For more about Hairspray read the First Night Feature, the Big Interview with Ian Talbot, or the Big Interview with former cast member Mel Smith.
show times: Mon-Sat 19:30, Mats Thu & Sat 15:00
ticket prices: £20-£60
duration: 2h30
captioned performance: By STAGETEXT on Tue 17 Mar at 19:30, tickets £22.50 T: 020 7379 5299
audio described performance: By VocalEyes on Tue 24 Mar at 19:30, tickets £22.50 T: 020 7379 5299
sign language interpreted performance: By Wendy Ebsworth on Tue 10 Mar at 19:30, tickets £22.50 T: 020 7379 5299
cast: Michael Ball, Ian Talbot, Leanne Jones, Ben James-Ellis, Adam Price, Adrian Hansel, Charlotte Riby, Dermot Canavan, Dominic Shaw, Elinor Collett, Emma Dodd, Helen Dixon, Jacqui Zvimba, Jenii Hicks, Johnnie Fiori, Scarlette Douglas, Michael Peters, Michael Vinsen, Paul Manuel, Zoe Rainey, Sandra Marvin, Curtis Lee Scott, Tim Frater, Liz Robertson, Wendy Somerville, Zara Warren, Catherine Cassell, Corrie Mac, Catherine Greeney, Stevie Hutchinson, Raquel Jones, Nadine Higgin, Gregory Sims
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
map: View Map
address: 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: Yes
Access Booking: Tel: 020 7379 5399 Fax: 020 7836 0466
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.
Hairspray - April 2008 -180px
Bookmark with: