Shaftesbury Theatre

Winner of FOUR Olivier Awards 2007
Best Musical
Best Actor - Michael Ball
Best Actress -Leanne Jones
Best Supporting Actress - Tracie Bennett 

"This joyous West End version, ... makes it obvious why it swept the board at the Tony Awards."
Simon Edge, Daily Express

"It doesn't tickle you into mirth. It blooming well shoves you."
Quentin Letts, Daily Mail

"the fat-suited Ball - who is appreciably better than John Travolta in the recently released movie version - gives one of the warmest, funniest and most oddly touching performances in a musical that I have ever seen."
Paul Taylor, The Independent

Michael Ball stars as ‘Edna Turnblad’, leading the cast of the smash hit multi-award winning musical “HAIRSPRAY”.  The show introduces 22 year-old complete unknown Leanne Jones, making her first professional appearance, playing ‘Tracy Turnblad’.

In Hairspray it's 1962 - the '50s are out and change is in the air. Baltimore's Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has only one passion - to dance. She wins a spot on the local TV dance program. "The Corny Collins Show" and, overnight, is transformed from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity. But can a trendsetter in dance and fashion vanquish the program's reigning princess, win the heart of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a television show without denting her 'do?  Only in Hairspray!  Welcome to the '60s!

The Broadway hit, directed by Jack O'Brien and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, premiered at New York's Neil Simon Theatre in 2002 winning EIGHT Tony Awards including Best Musical.

Dates
Previews started : 11th October 2007
Opened : 30th October 2007

Creators
Book by Mark O'Donnell & Thomas Meehan
Music by Marc Shaiman
Lyrics by Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman
Directed by Jack O'Brien
Choreography by Jerry Mitchell
Scenic Design by David Rockwell
Costume Design by William Ivey Long
Lighting Design by Kenneth Posner
Sound Design by Steve C. Kennedy
  
Starring
Michael Ball as Edna Turnblad (until July 25th)
Brian Conley as Edna Turnblad (from July 27th)
Leanne Jones as Tracy Turnblad
Liz Robertson as  Velma Von Tussle
Nigel Planer as  Wilbur Turnblad
Ben James-Ellis as Link Larkin
Rachael Wooding as Amber Von Tussle
Verity Rushworth as Penny Pingleton
Johnnie Fiori, Motormouth Maybelle
Philip Catchpole, IQ
Adrian Hansel, Seaweed J. Stubbs
Paul Manuel, Corny Collins

Important note:  Michael Ball is contracted to perform until the 25th July 2009 and does not perform on Mondays.

Audience:  Hairspray is recommended for children aged 8 and upwards.  Children under 4 years of age will not be admitted into the Shaftesbury Theatre.

Run time:  2 hours 30 mins. (20 minute intermission)

Show Times

	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Matinee	-	3:00	-	-	-	3:00	-
Evening	7:30	7:30	7:30	7:30	7:30	7:30	-