Michael Ball is set to reprise his role as Edna Turnblad at the London Coliseum from September 2020, with tickets for the West End production now on sale.
Ball starred in this record-setting production of Hairspray in the West End in 2010. Opening at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 11th October 2007, Ball played Edna Turnblad alongside a cast that included Tracie Bennett, Ben James-Ellis, Rachael Wooding, Leanne Jones. Hairspray received 11 Olivier Award nominations, which was a record for the time, and won awards for best musical, as well as best actor and actress in a musical (for Ball and Jones).
Hairspray follows the story of Tracy Turnblad, an aspiring dancer who wins a part on a local TV show, The Corny Collins Show, and becomes an overnight sensation. The musical has somewhat of a tradition of casting newcomers in the lead role, such as in the case of Jones in London, but also in the film versions of the story - Ricki Lake made her film debut in the original 1988 movie.
The musical, with music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman, features well-known songs such as "Good Morning Baltimore", "Big, Blonde and Beautiful", "I Can Hear the Bells" and "You Can't Stop the Beat".
Hairspray is now at the London Coliseum from 22 April 2021.
Hairspray in London
Following its world premiere on Broadway in 2002, Hairspray made its transfer over the Atlantic to the West End in 2007 when it opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Starring Michael Ball as Edna Turnblad, the production - directed by Jack O'Brien - also starred Mel Smith, Tracie Bennett and newcomer to the stage, Leanne Jones in the role of Tracy. Hairspray was nominated for eleven Olivier Awards, which set a record at the time, and won the award for best musical, plus best actor and actress in a musical for Michael Ball and Leanne Jones. The show ran for over 1,000 performances during which time cast changes included Brian Conley, Phil Jupitus and Sharon D Clarke, before it closed on 28th March 2010.
Hairspray soundtrack
Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman's score contains some of musical theatre's most uplifting tracks, none less than the opening number "Good Morning, Baltimore" and the show's closer "You Can't Stop The Beat". Other numbers include "I Can Hear the Bells", "(The Legend of) Miss Baltimore Crabs" and "I Know Where I've Been".
Hairspray Performance Information
Hairspray Performance Schedule
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Hairspray Cast and Creative
By:
Mark O'Donnell, Thomas Meehan
Director:
Jack O'Brien
Songs by:
music by Marc Shaiman, with lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman
Design:
David Rockwell
Choreography:
Jerry Mitchell
Costume:
William Ivey Long
Cast list:
Michael Ball, Marisha Wallace, Lizzie Bea, Rita Simons, Paul Merton, Jonny Amies, Georgia Anderson, Kimani Arthur, Dermot Canavan, Lori Haley Fox, Mari McGinlay, Ashley Samuels, Michael Vinsen and Imogen Bailey, Pearce Barron, Jordan Benjamin, Nicholas Collier, Joel Cooper, Luke George, Christopher Gopaul, Winny Herbert, Chris Howell, Lily Laight, Hannah Grace Lawson, Madeleine Lawton, Holly Liburd, Will Luckett, Mireia Mambo, Kody Mortimer, Robyn Rose, Tinovimbanashe Sibanda, Kibong Tanji, Amy West and Natalie Woods.
Other info:
Based on the film by John Waters
Next Performances of Hairspray
London Coliseum Venue Information
Address:
London Coliseum, St Martin's Lane, London, WC2N 4ES
Nearest tube:
Leicester Square
Seating Plan:
Customer reviews
Latest Hairspray News & Features
Friday, 26 June, 2020, 08:00
The highly-anticipated production of Hairspray starring Michael Ball in a return to his Olivier-winning role as Edna Turnblad has announced that it will now play at the London Coliseum from April 2021. The production was initially scheduled for September 2020 but has been postponed due to the COVID-19 government guidelines. The musical will now have its first preview on the 22 April 2021 and will run until 28 August 2021.
“Just like Edna’s famous...
Wednesday, 06 May, 2020, 12:30
Tickets for the rescheduled dates of Hairspray at the London Coliseum are now on sale. Originally scheduled to begin a four-month engagement in April, the musical will receive its West End revival from 1st September for two months.
The Hairspray company will remain the same as previously billed, including Michael Ball who reprises his 2007 Olivier Award-winning performance as Edna Turnblad. He’s joined by West End newcomer Lizzie Bea as Tracy Turnblad, alongside Marisha...
Friday, 03 April, 2020, 11:54
The planned upcoming production of Hairspray at the London Coliseum, which was set to open at the theatre starring Michael Ball in April, will now play the venue from September.
Starring cast members Ball, Paul Merton, Rita Simons, Marisha Wallace and Lizzie Bea who were all set to appear in the original run, the musical will now open on 8th September, with previews beginning on 1st September and the run ending on 8th November.
Ticket holders will have the option to...
Monday, 24 February, 2020, 15:53
She may be about to make her West End debut in one of London’s biggest musicals of the summer, but Lizzie Bea is already showing maturity beyond her years as she gears up to play Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray.
The lead role of Tracy, who is a wannabe dancer who dreams of performing on local entertainment programme The Corny Collins Show, is traditionally played by undiscovered talent. In 2007, the London premiere of the show launched the career of Leanne Jones...
Friday, 24 January, 2020, 09:16
Paul Merton is set to join Michael Ball in the upcoming West End revival of Hairspray at the London Coliseum, making his London musical debut.
Merton will play Wilbur Turnblad, a joke shop owner whose daughter is vying for fame by entering a TV talent competition, and is married to Edna Turnblad, Ball’s character.
The musical opens on 23rd April, with casting also including Lizzie Bea and Marisha Wallace. Tickets are available now.
Hairspray West End cast
Paul...
Thursday, 19 December, 2019, 17:05
The beat of Baltimore comes back to the West End in 2020, as Hairspray comes to the London Coliseum. Last seen in London over a decade ago, the musical tells of a teenager named Tracy who successfully auditions for a television show, later scolded by others for her progressive political thinking. Receiving 11 Olivier Award nominations in 2008, Hairspray broke records and got everyone talking.
In what has now become Hairspray tradition, West End newcomer Lizzie...
Hairspray
London Coliseum, London