Ian Talbot
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Ian Talbot is joining the cast of the West End production of
Hairspray. He will replace Mel Smith in the role of Wilbur Turnblad beginning on 28 January at the Shaftesbury Theatre.
Talbot, who ran the New Shakespeare Company at the Open Air Theatre Regent’s Park until last year, has performed frequently in the West End and at the Royal Shakespeare Company. His television credits include As Time Goes By, Heartbeat, Poirot and Midsomer Murders. He directed over 20 productions at Regent’s Park, and also starred in several of them. He was awarded an OBE in this year’s New Years Honours list.
Talbot will join Hairspray stars Michael Ball (Edna Turnblad), Leanne Jones (Tracy Turnblad) and Ben James-Ellis (Link Larkin), who will all continue to star in the show until 25 October, 2008.