Producers Mark Goucher, Matthew Gale and Laurence Myers have announced that Hairspray will return to theatres across the UK and Ireland in 2027 with a major new tour.
The production will reunite co-directors Brenda Edwards and Paul Kerryson, alongside Olivier Award-winning choreographer Drew McOnie. Further casting is set to be announced, with Neil Hurst already confirmed to reprise the role of Edna Turnblad.
The tour will open at Manchester’s Palace Theatre from 2 to 19 July 2027 before visiting Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Dublin, Belfast, Southend, Wimbledon, Liverpool, Bradford, Sunderland, Milton Keynes, Malvern, Birmingham, York, Leicester, Brighton, Woking and Bristol.
Featuring songs including “Good Morning Baltimore”, “Welcome to the 60s” and “You Can’t Stop the Beat”, the musical follows Tracy Turnblad as she pursues her dream of dancing on television while fighting for equality and inclusion in 1960s Baltimore.
Neil Hurst returns to the production after previously appearing as Edna Turnblad. The actor, comedian and writer is known for theatre credits including The Full Monty, Fat Friends the Musical and Early Doors Live, alongside television appearances in Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, Coronation Street and All Creatures Great and Small.
Brenda Edwards, who previously played Motormouth Maybelle in three tours of Hairspray, said: “I am so thrilled that this wonderful musical is returning to cities across the UK as it holds a very special place in my heart! I had so much fun making my directorial debut as a co-director with Paul Kerryson first time round. The show’s story and themes continue to remain as relevant as ever and I cannot wait to share this vibrant new production of this timeless musical with even more people.”
Edwards first rose to fame following her appearance on The X Factor in 2005 and has since enjoyed a successful career in television, music and theatre. Her stage credits include We Will Rock You, Chicago, Carousel and Hairspray, while television audiences will know her from Loose Women, Songs of Praise and Carols at Christmas.
The creative team includes set and costume designer Takis, lighting designer Philip Gladwell, sound designer Ben Harrison, musical supervisor and arranger Ben Atkinson, musical director Richard Atkinson, projection designer George Reeve, casting director Grindrod Burton, associate director Juliet Gough and associate choreographer Shaquille Brush.
Based on John Waters’ 1988 film, Hairspray features a score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman and a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan. The musical premiered on Broadway in 2002, winning eight Tony Awards, before opening in London in 2007 where it won four Olivier Awards including Best New Musical.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
