Leanne Jones and Verity Rushworth in Hairspray

Nigel Planer and Verity Rushworth are set to join the cast of the West End production of Hairspray. Beginning February 2, Planer will take on the role of Wilbur Turnblad with Rushworth playing Penny Pingleton. The new additions join stars Michael Ball as Edna Turnblad, Leanne Jones as Tracy Turnblad and Ben James-Ellis as Link Larkin, all of whom have signed on through July 25, 2009.

Planer is best known for his comedic work in The Comic Strip Presents…, The Young Ones, Shine On Harvey Moon, Blackadder and Terry Prachett’s The Colour of Magic. He’s been seen in the West End in Wicked, Chicago and The Rocky Horror Show. Verity is best known for playing Donna Windsor-Dingle on the popular show Emmerdale.
Hairspray will mark her West End debut.

The winner of the 2008 Olivier Award for Best Musical, Hairspray has a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman. The musical is based on the 1988 film, written and directed by John Waters. It currently plays at the Shaftesbury Theatre.