Let your hair down

IT’S Baltimore 1962, where Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, is on a mission to follow her dreams and dance her way onto national TV.

Tracy’s audition makes her a local star and soon she is using her newfound fame to fight for equality, bagging local heartthrob Link Larkin along the way.

Hairspray is a musical based on the 1988 film of the same name, which starred Divine and Ricki Lake, by cult filmmaker John Waters. With music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman and book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, Hairspray originally opened to rave reviews on Broadway in 2002 and subsequently won eight Tony Awards.

The production opened in London at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 2007 and won four Laurence Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical. Proving to be an international success, Hairspray has also opened in South Africa, Japan, South Korea, China and Dubai.

Following the musical’s phenomenal success on stage, a film of the musical was released in 2007, starring John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer and James Marsden.

This production stars Matt Rixon (The Ladykillers, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as Edna Turnblad, Norman Pace (Hale & Pace, Chicago) as Wilbur Turnblad, Brenda Edwards (The X Factor, Chicago, We Will Rock You) as Motormouth Maybelle, Layton Williams (Billy Elliot, Bad Education) as Seaweed, Gina Murray (Chicago, EastEnders) as Velma Von Tussle and introducing Rebecca Mendoza in her professional debut as Tracy Turnblad.

Featuring the iconic music and lyrics by Academy Award, Tony and Emmy-winning duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, this big, bold and beautiful production is choreographed by Olivier Award-winning Drew McOnie with direction from Paul Kerryson.

This irresistible feel-good show is a perfect treat for all the family – let your hair down and book now!