You may know about the musical HAIRSPRAY, you may have seen the fantastic movie, but until you’ve witnessed it live on stage, you haven’t lived the full Hairspray experience.
The smash-hit musical is out on tour and is at the Wales Millennium Centre this week in a major new production co-directed by BRENDA EDWARDS.
Brenda will make her directorial debut as she joins Paul Kerryson to direct the 2024/25 touring production alongside award-winning choreographer Drew McOnie.
Hairspray is a 2007 musical romantic comedy film based on the 2002 Broadway musical of the same name, which in turn was based on John Waters’s 1988 comedy film of the same name. You still following?
John Waters was born in Baltimore, which is where the show is set in 1962.
Welcome to the 60s, where everyone’s grooving to a brand-new sound! Enter our vivacious heroine Tracy Turnblad, who has big hair, a big heart, and big dreams to dance her way onto national TV, and into the heart of teen idol Link Larkin. Along with her best friend Penny Pingleton Tracy frequently watches The Corny Collins Show, a local teen dance television programme. Tracy’s racial acceptance leads her to become an active supporter for integration on the show.
When Tracy becomes a local star, she is able to use her newfound fame to fight for liberation, tolerance, and interracial unity in Baltimore. But can she win equality – and Link’s heart – without denting her ‘do?
The songs may be fun and the dancing upbeat, but the undertones of the story are painfully true and powerful.
As a musical, Hairspray has seen enormous success, picking up countless awards around the world, and making stars of those are a part of it. The show originally opened to rave reviews on Broadway in and subsequently won eight Tony Awards. The production opened in London at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 2007 and won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical, Best Actor in a Musical, Best Actress in a Musical and Best Performance in a Supporting Role.
This iconic musical comedy features some of musical theatre’s best hit songs including Welcome To The 60s, You Can’t Stop The Beat and Good Morning Baltimore by Academy Award, Tony and Emmy winning duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.
Casting has been announced for Hairspray which will be bopping into Wales Millennium Centre this week as part of a tour of the UK and Ireland.
NEIL HURST (The Full Monty, Evita) will be starring as Edna Turnblad, with GINA MURRAY (Chicago, The Full Monty) playing the role of Velma Von Tussle. MICHELLE NDEGWA (a vocalist for the Gorillaz) playing Motormouth Maybelle and Tracy Turnblad will be played by ALEXANDRA EMMERSON-KIRBY.
Soloman Davy (Grease, Clueless The Musical) will be playing Link Larkin, with Declan Egan (Jersey Boys, The Book of Mormon) playing Corny Collins, and Katlo (High Society, Annie Get Your Gun) playing Little Inez. Reece Richards (Hairspray, Motown) will be playing the role of Seaweed with Allana Taylor (Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk) as Amber Von Tussle.
They will be joined by Ben Anderson, Grace Anyiam, Nina Bell, Joseph Bristow, Vanessa Dumatey, Rebecca French, Stuart Hickey, Jaiden Lodge, Olly Manley, Sasha Monique, Jacob Smith and Issy Wilman. Further casting will be announced soon.
The new production will be Co-directed by Paul Kerryson (Chicago, Sweeney Todd) and Brenda Edwads, (We Will Rock You) who has previously played “Motormouth” Maybelle in three tours of Hairspray.
Brenda’s extensive career on the stage has seen her play iconic roles including Killer Queen in We Will Rock You (Original UK Tour, West End and London Coliseum), Mamma Morton in Chicago (West End and UK Tour) and “Motormouth” Maybelle in Hairspray (UK Tour). Other highlights include sold out concerts at the world-famous Ronnie Scott’s, London’s Pigalle Club, and at the Barbican for Brenda Edward’s Gospel Christmas produced by Raymond Gubbay. Brenda is proud to have independently released her Debut Album Bring It Back (check website for details).
Brenda told us…….
“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.”
Completing the creative team is Set and Costume Design by Takis, Lighting Design by Philip Gladwell, Sound Design by Ben Harrison, Musical Supervising and Arrangement by Ben Atkinson, Musical Direction by Richard Atkinson, Projection Design by George Reeve, Casting by Grindrod Burton and Resident Direction by Juliet Gough.
Mark Shaiman (Composer/Co-Lyricist) said…..
“Brenda Edwards has been a part of the Hairspray family since she took on the role of “Motormouth” Maybelle in 2015 and hearing that she is co-directing the latest tour is music to my ears. The strength and soul that Brenda brings to both her performances and her life have already made me a fan and I hope a friend for life, and I can’t wait to see how she brings her personal perspective to our show. Brava Brenda!”
HAIRSPRAY is at Wales Millennium Centre from through to Saturday 3rd August. You can get more details and tickets HERE
