Casting Announced for Hairspray at the Edinburgh Playhouse
Today, the producers of the 2024/25 UK and Ireland tour of Hairspray are delighted to announce initial casting for the smash hit musical coming to Edinburgh Playhouse!
Article Source: ATG
Last Updated: 11 March 2024 12:02
Edinburgh Playhouse 7 – 12 October 2024 - Ticket link here: here
Brenda Edwards (Loose Women, ITV; We Will Rock You, London Coliseum) who previously played Motormouth Maybelle in three productions of Hairspray directed by Paul Kerryson (Chicago, Sweeney Todd; Curve Theatre), now joins this production to direct alongside Kerryson. The production is choreographed by Olivier Award winner and artistic director of Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, Drew McOnie (In the Heights, King's Cross Theatre; Jesus Christ Superstar, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre) and will open in Manchester at the Palace Theatre on 16th July 2024 and tour through to April 2025.
Casting includes Neil Hurst (Edna Turnblad), Joanne Clifton (Velma Von Tussle) - with Gina Murray performing the role from 16 July - 7 September only, Michelle Ndegwa (Motormouth Maybelle), Soloman Davy (Link Larkin), Declan Egan (Corny Collins) Alexandra Emmerson-Kirby (Tracy Turnblad), Katlo (Little Inez), Reece Richards (Seaweed) and Allana Taylor (Amber Von Tussle). Ensemble includes: Ben Anderson, Grace Anyiam, Nina Bell, Joseph Bristow, Vanessa Dumatey, Rebecca French, Stuart Hickey, Jaiden Lodge, Olly Manley, Sasha Monique, Jacob Smith and Issy Wilman. Further casting will be announced soon.
Michelle Ndegwa will make her professional debut in the principal role of Motormouth Maybelle having been selected from more than 3000 people who applied to the open auditions in November last year. A soul and gospel singer, best known for her performances as a vocalist for the Gorillaz, Michelle has recorded with Billy Porter, Gregory Porter (Troy Miller), Shapeshifters, Yard Act, Becky Hill, Rita Ora, and Deseri. Her touring, festival and concert work includes: background vocals for Wizkid, Lizzo, Jorja Smith, Emeli Sande, Becky Hill, Nubya Garcia, TLC, Liam Gallagher, Ray BLK, Nina Nesbit, Shakka, Tom Odell, and Trevor Nelson (Soul Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall). She has performed at festivals including Coachella, Glastonbury and BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend.
Alexandra Emerson-Kirby will also be making her professional debut as Tracy Turnblad. Her passion for musical theatre started at her local YMCA Theatre in Scarborough after which she went on to train professionally at Italia Conti where she recently graduated in Musical Theatre & Dance.
The Scottish tour dates for this iconic musical comedy featuring some of musical theatre’s best hit songs including Welcome To The 60s, You Can’t Stop The Beat and Good Morning Baltimore by Academy Award, Tony and Emmy winning duo Marc Shaiman (music and lyrics) and Scott Wittman (lyrics) are:
The creative team includes Directors Brenda Edwards and Paul Kerryson, Choreography by Drew McOnie, Musical Supervising and Arrangement by Ben Atkinson, Set and Costume Design by Takis, Lighting Design by Philip Gladwell, Sound Design by Ben Harrison, Video Design by George Reeves, Musical Direction and Supervision by Richard Atkinson, Projection Design by George Reeve, Casting by Grindrod Burton and Resident Director is Juliet Gough.
After breaking box office records and delighting audiences in the West End, on Broadway and on the big screen since 1988, the timeless story of Hairspray centres around heroine Tracy Turnblad, who has big hair, a big heart, and big dreams to dance her way onto national TV, and into the heart of teen idol Link Larkin. When Tracy becomes a local star, she is able to use her newfound fame to fight for liberation, tolerance, and interracial unity in Baltimore. But can she win equality – and Link’s heart – without denting her ’do?
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 by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman Marc Shaiman and book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, the stage production of 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 Olivier Awards including Best New Musical. Proving to be an international success, Hairspray has also played 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 which starred John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer and James Marsden.
Hairspray is produced by Mark Goucher, Matthew Gale, and Laurence Myers.
Sponsored Links
Latest Edinburgh News
W Edinburgh partners with The Stand in Fringe Takeover
This August, the five-star W Edinburgh announces it is officially partnering with The Stand, one of Edinburgh’s most iconic comedy venues, in celebration of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival Unites Artists and Audiences in Search of Truth as Festival Launches
The curtain rises on the this year’s International Festival, welcoming audiences to explore opera, music, theatre and dance through the lens of the theme The Truth We Seek.
READ MORE
13 Food Vendors Not to Miss at the Fringe
Edinburgh University Students’ Association hosts ten of the city’s best local vendors, delivering award-winning and mouth-watering food and drink at their iconic festival venues.
READ MORE
TRUST pop up restaurant will be in town in August
This August, one of Scotland’s most exciting culinary talents is bringing an unmissable dining experience to the heart of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
READ MORE
Session schedule unveiled for Glasgow 2026
With packed venues and 30 medal sessions across 50 sport sessions, it's shaping up to be one of the most electric weekends in Glasgow's sporting history!
READ MORE
Dynamic Earth joins the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with Stellar Shows and a Unique Venue Experience
This August, Dynamic Earth is back at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as Venue 315, transforming once again into a vibrant Fringe hub at the foot of Salisbury Crags.
READ MORE
Game changer for Edinburgh with first portable city edition Escape Room launch
The first ‘Escape Room - Edinburgh Edition’ board game is being launched exclusively at just four venues across the capital this August, just in time for the start of this year's Festival.
READ MORE
Glimmers films set to spread moments of joy throughout Travfest25
Seven moments of filmed magic to be shared with audiences in the theatre and at home throughout this year’s TravFest.
READ MORE
New Superfood Kitchen opens at Bonnie & Wild
New Superfood Kitchen opens at Bonnie & Wild as popular Scottish food hall hosts pop-up cider bar and free Fringe ceilidh this August.
READ MORE
A Mile for Every Year: Robin Dow Marks 25 Years of Mindroom with Epic Fundraiser
81-year-old Robin Dow, charity co-founder, will embark on a 25-mile walk from Leith to Tantallon Castle to celebrate Mindroom's anniversary to raise £50,000 for neurodivergent children & families.
READ MORE
SoBe Burger unveils Limited Edition Irn Bru Inspired Fried Chicken Burger for Fringe Festival
In a recent poll, Irn-Bru® claimed most votes for the flavour that best represents the nation. Now SoBe Burger unveils an Irn-Bru® inspired fried chicken burger available from 1 to 25 August.
READ MORE
Bongos Bingo announces Edinburgh dates during the Fringe
Anyone looking for an alternative night out during the Fringe Festival, then Bongo’s Bingo is the place to be!
READ MORE
EIFF announces In Conversation: Thelma Schoonmaker on Michael Powell
Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) is pleased to welcome legendary film editor Thelma Schoonmaker for a special in-depth In Conversation event at this year’s Festival.
READ MORE
Hardworking Fringe Performers to be fuelled with flavour at local world buffet
COSMO Edinburgh is stepping up to support the unsung heroes of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, its tireless, hardworking performers, by offering a meal discount throughout August.
READ MORE
The Eric Liddell Community unveils inspiring Fringe Festival Programme
Local charity, The Eric Liddell Community, has announced its lineup of shows and events taking place in its Bruntsfield-based hub, Venue 235, during the Fringe Festival.
READ MORE
Wahaca launches its first ever breakfast menu for Edinburgh Fringe
Right on cue for all the excitement of the Edinburgh Festival and Fringe, Wahaca launches its first ever breakfast menu for the entire month at its St Andrew Square restaurant.
READ MORE
Innis & Gunn launches new Edinburgh food, drink and entertainment venue Stockbridge Social
Scottish brewer Innis & Gunn is launching Stockbridge Social, a new open-air food, drink and entertainment venue on Raeburn Place, opening Friday 1st August.
READ MORE
Fringe Happening at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
With the Fringe Festival right on the doorstep, Virgin Hotels Edinburgh is once again hosting a fantastic array of shows and activities!
READ MORE
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh unveils next Artist in Residence
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh is proud to announce Jennifer Court as the latest Artist in Residence, taking up the unique creative post from August through October 2025.
READ MORE
Forever Edinburgh launches search for Local Legends
Forever Edinburgh is calling on residents to help shine a spotlight on the everyday heroes who make the city a better place to live.
READ MORE
Matilda the Musical Cast Announcement
Casting was announced today for the upcoming tour of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Matilda The Musical, coming to Edinburgh Playhouse in March.
READ MORE
Celebrate Tattoo with Expert Bar Crawl Guide with Glenfiddich
To mark Glenfiddich’s partnership with The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo this August, the whisky has released a guide to Edinburgh’s most characterful bars.
READ MORE
Four Points Flex by Sheraton opens its doors in Edinburgh city centre
Four Points Flex by Sheraton has debuted in Edinburgh, inviting guests to enjoy a convenient, affordable and comfortable stay right in the heart of the city centre.
READ MORE
Flight Club Reveals its Line up of Fringe Festival Treats
Flight Club, the lively fairground-inspired cocktail and Social Darts bar, has a brilliant line-up of treats on offer to escape the hustle and bustle of the Fringe.
READ MORE
Scots Language Awards on hunt for nominees
The Scots Language Awards are now welcoming nominations for this year’s celebration of Scots.
READ MORE
Top chef duo dive into first summer pop up on Edinburgh waterfront
Two of Scotland’s leading chefs are teaming up for the first time to stage a pop-up dining experience on Edinburgh’s waterfront for one night only on Tuesday 19th August.
READ MORE
Dobbies unveils spellbinding lineup of Autumn events
This October and November, Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting customers along to its trio of enchanting autumn events that are lined up across the country, helping kick-start the season.
READ MORE
The Palmerston and Pals kitchen takeover series launches this August
This August, The Palmerston will mark festival season by welcoming chef friends for The Palmerston and Pals, a series of kitchen takeovers taking place throughout the month.
READ MORE
Oasis fans who missed out on tickets can Roll With It to Fort Kinnaird
Fans who missed out on tickets to see Oasis at Murrayfield can still enjoy the iconic anthems at Fort Kinnaird on Sunday 10th August, thanks to a free live performance by tribute band ‘Oasus’.
READ MORE
Britannia sails to triple triumph
The Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh has sailed to triple triumph after being named Tripadvisor’s ‘Best of the Best’ visitor attraction in the UK and 12thin the world 2025/26.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links