The 'big fat loveable musical' Hairspray is touring the UK through 2018, touching down in Southampton on the 22nd of January. It's a musical that's impossible not to love, with the bright costumes, big hair and vivacious characters - especially the loveable Turnbald family. The show will be showing at Southampton's Mayflower Theatre from January 22nd till January 28th, before continuing on the rest fo it's UK tour.
The musical is based on the 1988 John Waters' film, starring future talk show host Rikki Lake as Tracy Turnblad and Waters' favourite drag queen, Divine, as Tracy's mum Edna. The film was adapted into a musical that premiered in 2002, and was then back on the screen in 2007 with an adaption of the musical starring John Travolta, Zac Efron, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Queen Latifah amongst an even bigger ensemble cast. It is now a must-see show for die-hard musical lovers and casual fans alike.
Hairspray is set in the 1960s, where the Corny Collins Show is one of the most popular shows around. When an opportunity to audition becomes available, teens vie for a spot to dance on the show. An unlikely contender is the sweet, but overweight, Tracy Turnblad. Initially she is rejected, along with a young black girl, Little Inez. Not only does Tracy get another chance to audition where she wins a spot on the show with her dancing, but she then joins up with dancers from the black community to protest the racial segregation that plagues the channel's dance shows.
The UK Tour is directed by Paul Kerryson and choreographed by Drew McOnie. The cast features Norman Pace and X-Factor's Brenda Edwards, as well as newcomer Rebecca Mendoza who is making her professional debut playing Tracy Turnblad. The full cast and crew can be found on the Hairspray the Musical website.
Hairspray is full of energetic dance numbers and memorable songs. Even if you're not familiar with the musical or 2007 film, you'll find yourself singing along.
Tickets start at £24.50pp depending on your seats and the performance date and time. Tickets can be purchased online from the Mayflower Theatre website. Tickets for future tour dates on the UK tour can be found on the Hairspray UK Tour website.