The smash hit musical of Hairspray announces 2024/25 UK and Ireland tour.
Where and when?
See below for tour dates.
Who’s in the cast?
Brenda Edwards (Loose Women, ITV; We Will Rock You, London Coliseum) who previously played Motormouth Maybelle in three productions of Hairspray directed by Paul Kerryson (Chicago, Sweeney Todd; Curve Theatre), now joins this production to direct alongside Kerryson. The production is choreographed by Olivier Award winner and artistic director of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Drew McOnie (In the Heights, King’s Cross Theatre; Jesus Christ Superstar, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) and will open in Manchester at the Palace Theatre on 16th July 2024 and tour through to April 2025.
Casting includes Neil Hurst (Edna Turnblad), Joanne Clifton (Velma Von Tussle) – with Gina Murray performing the role from 16 July – 7 September only, Michelle Ndegwa (Motormouth Maybelle), Soloman Davy (Link Larkin), Declan Egan (Corny Collins) Alexandra Emmerson-Kirby (Tracy Turnblad), Katlo (Little Inez), Reece Richards (Seaweed) and Allana Taylor (Amber Von Tussle). Ensemble includes: 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.
Michelle Ndegwa will make her professional debut in the principal role of Motormouth Maybelle having been selected from more than 3000 people who applied to the open auditions in November last year. A soul and gospel singer, best known for her performances as a vocalist for the Gorillaz, Michelle has recorded with Billy Porter, Gregory Porter (Troy Miller), Shapeshifters, Yard Act, Becky Hill, Rita Ora, and Deseri. Her touring, festival and concert work includes: background vocals for Wizkid, Lizzo, Jorja Smith, Emeli Sande, Becky Hill, Nubya Garcia, TLC, Liam Gallagher, Ray BLK, Nina Nesbit, Shakka, Tom Odell, and Trevor Nelson (Soul Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall). She has performed at festivals including Coachella, Glastonbury and BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend.
Alexandra Emmerson-Kirby will also be making her professional debut as Tracy Turnblad. Her passion for musical theatre started at her local YMCA Theatre in Scarborough after which she went on to train professionally at Italia Conti where she recently graduated in Musical Theatre & Dance.
Creative team
The creative team includes Directors Brenda Edwards and Paul Kerryson, Choreography by Drew McOnie, Musical Supervising and Arrangement by Ben Atkinson, Set and Costume Design by Takis, Lighting Design by Philip Gladwell, Sound Design by Ben Harrison, Video Design by George Reeves, Musical Direction and Supervision by Richard Atkinson, Projection Design by George Reeve, Casting by Grindrod Burton and Resident Director is Juliet Gough.
What’s the show about?
After breaking box office records and delighting audiences in the West End, on Broadway and on the big screen since 1988, the timeless story of Hairspray centres around 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. 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?
Assisted performances
Check individual venue websites.
Where can I get tickets?
www.hairsprayuktour.com
Manchester Palace (16 – 27 July)
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff (29 July – 3 August)
Canterbury Marlowe (6 – 10 August)
Cheltenham Everyman (13 – 17 August)
Liverpool Empire (19 – 24 August)
Belfast Grand Opera House (26 – 31 August)
Milton Keynes Theatre (2 – 7 September)
Southend Cliffs Pavilion (9 – 14 September)
Birmingham Hippodrome (16 – 21 September)
Leicester Curve (23 – 28 September)
Brighton Theatre Royal (30 Sept – 5 October)
Edinburgh Playhouse (7 – 12 October)
Sheffield Lyceum (14 – 19 October)
New Wimbledon Theatre (21 – 26 October)
York Grand Opera House (28 Oct – 2 Nov)
Nottingham Theatre Royal (4 – 9 November)
Newcastle Theatre Royal (11 – 16 November)
Hull New Theatre (18 – 23 November)
Bradford Theatres (25 – Sat 30 November)
Southampton Mayflower Theatre (7 – 11 January)
Hall for Cornwall (13 – 18 Jan)
Aberdeen His Majesty’s Theatre (20 – 25 January)
Glasgow Kings Theatre (27 Jan – 1 February)
Wolverhampton Grand (3 – 8 Feb)
Norwich Theatre (10 – 15 Feb)
Aylesbury (17 – 22 Feb)
Bristol Hippodrome (24 Feb – 1 Mar)
Woking New Victoria (31 Mar – 5 Apr)
Venue Cymru (7- 12 Apr)
Sunderland Empire (14-19 Apr)
