Hairspray stars Leanne Jones and Michael Ball
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More casting has been announced for the West End’s
Hairspray. The musical, which will star Michael Ball as Edna Turnblad and Leanne Jones as Tracy Turnblad, will begin performances at London’s Shaftesbury Theatre on 11 October and open there on 30 October.
In addition to stars Ball and Jones, the tuner features Mel Smith as Wilbur Turnblad, Ben James-Ellis as Link Larkin, Tracie Bennett as Velma Von Tussle, Natalie Best as Inez, Dermot Canavan as Male Authority Figure, Elinor Collett as Penny Pingleton, Johnnie Fiori as Motormouth Maybelle, Adrian Hansel as Seaweed, Paul Manuel as Corny Collins, Wendy Somerville as Female Authority Figure and Rachel Wooding as Amber Von Tussle.
Also in the cast are Gavin Alex, Fem Belling, Philip Catchpole, Lewis Davies, Helen Dixon, Emma Dodd, Tim Frater, Kate Gillespie, Ewan Gillies, Nicky Griffiths, Jenii Hicks, Holly James, Sandra Marvin, Terel Nugent, Michael Peters, Adam Price, Charlotte Riby, Dominic Shaw, Neil Toon, Michael Vinsen, Zara Warren and Jacqui Zvimba.
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. The musical will be directed by Jack O’Brien and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell.
Broadway’s Hairspray garnered eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical. It continues to play in New York at the Neil Simon Theatre.