Hairspray: Only 8 weeks to go
The producers of Hairspray have announced that it will close in 8 weeks time at the Shaftesbury Theatre, on 28 March 2010, following two and a half years of big-haired success.
The Olivier and Tony award winning musical has played over 1,000 performances and grossed over £50 million in the UK, becoming the longest running show at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 40 years.
Based on the cult John Waters movie, Hairspray is a colourful, fun and vibrant show which follows Tracy Turnblad – a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart – as she sets out to dance her way onto TV’s most popular dance show.
As the show closes in the West End it will embark on a nationwide tours, with dates including Cardiff, Glasgow, Southampton, Leeds, Manchester, Milton Keynes and Birmingham.
Brian Conley will return to the cast to play Edna Turnblad for the final eight weeks of the London run, with former Monkee Micky Dolenz playing doting husband Wilbur and Chloe Hart continuing to play Tracy.
Hairspray producer Bill Taylor said: “Every show, even a big, glorious hit show like this one, has a natural life and for now it is time for Hairspray to leave London. Margo Lion and the Broadway producers of Hairspray join Stage Entertainment in thanking every member of the company who has been involved in making it such a success and every audience member who joined us at the Shaftesbury theatre over its record-breaking run.”
Save £25 on tickets to see Hairspray at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London
Jersey Boys joins Sunday shows
Jersey Boys has joined a number of other high-profile West End shows in running performances on a Sunday.
Jersey Boys - now playing on a Sunday in the West End
The award-winning Broadway musical at the Prince Edward Theatre in London held its first Sunday performance yes
terday, Sunday 17 January, and has dropped its Monday night performance from the schedule to now run Tuesdays to Saturdays at 7.30pm, and Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3.00pm.
Jersey Boys has won twenty-one major international awards since first opening on Broadway in 2006 including Best Musical at the Olivier Awards, and follows the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Songs include Sherry, Walk Like A Man, Oh What a Night and Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.
An increasing number of West End shows are now playing on a Sunday, with much of the centre of London now open for shopping, eating and entertainment on a Sunday.
Shows in the West End now playing on a Sunday include Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre, Hairspray at the Shaftesbury Theatre, Thriller Live at the Lyric Theatre, Stomp at the Ambassadors Theatre, Waiting for Godot at the Haymarket Theatre Royal, The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre, selected plays at the National Theatre, and dance productions at the Peacock Theatre – including Havana Rakatan from 4 February.
New shows coming to London that will also feature Sunday performances include All The Fun of the Fair – David Essex’s new musical at the Garrick Theatre from 17 April.
More shows open on Sunday
Sunday is the new Saturday as far as West End theatres are concerned, as an increasing number of London shows begin running performances on a Sunday.
With no congestion charge and easier transport and parking, increasing numbers of families are choosing to visit London on a Sunday and take in a show.
Current shows running on a Sunday include War Horse, The Lion King, Stomp, Thriller Live, The Shawshank Redemption and Arturo Brachetti – Change.
Hairspray, now open on Sundays
On 8 November Hairspray joined the Sunday brigade and started running matinee performances, now with a new cast including comedian Phill Jupitus and pop diva Belinda Carlisle. And West End big-hitter Jersey Boys will also have its first Sunday performance from 17 January 2010.
Discount Tickets on a Sunday
Enjoy the following shows at a discounted rate on a Sunday:
Stomp, Thriller Live, The Shawshank Redemption, Arturo Brachetti – Change and Hairspray.
Belinda Carlisle to join Hairspray
It’s all change at Hairspray as the producers announce another cast change starting 26 October. Pop star Belinda Carlisle will join the big-budget, big-hair show as Velma Von Tussle, alongside the Never Mind The Buzzcocks comedian Phill Jupitus, who will take the role of Edna Turnblad, formerly played by Michael Ball and currently by Brian Conley.
Also musicals stalwart Sharon D Clarke , who has played many of the West End’s big shows, will take the role of Motormouth Mabel.
Other cast members remain in place including Chloe Hart (Tracy Turnblad), Verity Rushworth (Penny) Liam Tamne (Link Larkin), Adrian Hansel (Seaweed) and Raquel Jones (Little Inez) all remain with the show and are joined by new cast members Tony Timberlake (Wilbur Turnblad), Nicola Brazil (Amber Von Tussle) and Gavin Alex (Corny Collins).
Hairspray has won numerous awards including the Olivier Award Best Musical gong and Best Musical at the Evening Standard Awards.
Hairspray starts Sunday performances from Sunday 8 November, running Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm, with matinees on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 3.00pm.
Hairspray discount tickets: Save £27.50 on tickets with westendtheatre.com
BACKGROUND
Belinda Carlisle is a Grammy Award nominated singer and actress. As lead singer of the groundbreaking band The GoGo’s she was part of the first ever girl group who wrote and played their own music to top the Billboard Charts in the US. Following extensive touring with The GoGo’s, her solo career was hugely successful with global hits including Circle In The Sand, Leave A Light On For Me, I Get Weak, We Want The Same Thing, Live Your Life Be Free and the international number one Heaven Is A Place On Earth. Screen credits include the movie “Swing Shift” and appearances on “Dancing With The Stars” (ABC) and “Hell’s Kitchen” (ITV1). Based in France, Belinda still performs around the world.
Phill Jupitus is a broadcaster, writer and actor who has appeared on British television & radio and the stage for over 20 years. His career began at record label Go Discs where he was press officer for The Housemartins and directed videos for Billy Bragg and Kirsty McColl. He also worked as a performance poet and compered for acts like Madness, The Who and Paul Weller before becoming a regular fixture on the UK comedy circuit. He has appeared on many television and radio panel shows including “QI” and “News Quiz”, as well as being a regular team captain on the hit BBC 2 show “Never Mind The Buzzcocks”, and has toured extensively with his one man shows. As a DJ, Phil played the first ever record on BBC 6Music as host of the “Breakfast Show”, which he presented for five years. He is also a columnist (and sometime cartoonist) for The Times’s football supplement The Game and regularly records very successful football and music podcasts.
Sharon D Clarke is a prolific West End, television and radio star and recording artist. Her stage credits include “Chicago”, “We Will Rock You”, “The Lion King”, “Rent” and “Guys & Dolls” as well as many productions at the Hackney Empire. On television she has appeared in “The Singing Detective”, “Waking The Dead”, “The Crust” and she played Dr Lolo Griffin on BBC 1’s “Holby City” for more than three years. She also appeared as a judge on the hugely successful “Last Choir Standing” for the BBC in 2008. She has appeared on many chart singles as a guest vocalist, including Going Back To My Roots (with FPI Project) and I Wanna Give You Devotion (with Nomad).
Hairspray – Save £25
September 3, 2009 by admin
Filed under Uncategorized
Save £25 on tickets to see Hairspray at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London
Hairspray is the joyous, smash-hit musical that has broken all box-office records at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London. Based on John Waters’ cult film, this is the heart-warming story of Tracy Turnblad – a big girl with big hair and a big heart who loves to dance.
Winner of eight Tony Awards on Broadway and the 2008 Olivier Award for Best Musical, Hairspray features stage and screen star Brian Conley (Adam Price on Monday nights) and astonishing newcomer Chloe Hart, plus Nigel Planer (The Young Ones) and Verity Rushworth (Emmerdale).
MORE ABOUT HAIRSPRAY
‘Big Hair, Big Heart, Big Hit! You will laugh, you will scream, you might even shed a tear or two’ Daily Telegraph.
‘A feel-good romantic comedy – pulsating with musical excitement’ Evening Standard.
“Brian Conley’s Edna generated the loudest laughs I’ve heard in any theatre for years!” Paul Phear. Magic 105.4.
HAIRSPRAY, the smash hit musical comedy, is now playing in London’s West End. With standing ovations every night and unanimous critical acclaim, the show has broken box office records at the Shaftesbury Theatre! This ‘feel great show’ (Guardian), has recently been awarded Best Musical in the Olivier Awards 2008, the Critics Circle Awards 2008, the What’s on Stage Theatregoers Choice Awards 2008 and the Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2007.
Follow Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart as she sets out to dance her way onto TV’s most popular dance show. Can this ordinary girl realise her extraordinary dreams, inspire her mum and still have time to win the boy she loves?
HAIRSPRAY welcomes Brian Conley as larger-than-life Edna Turnblad!
Brian is joined by Chloe Hart taking over as big-haired, big-hearted Tracy Turnblad in her West End debut, and Wicked’s Liam Tamne as heartthrob Link Larkin. Brian Conley is one of the UK’s biggest entertainment stars with credits spanning musicals, television, film, comedy and variety, including lead roles in hit musicals Me & My Girl, Jolson and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Nigel Planer and Verity Rushworth continue in the roles of Wilbur Turnblad and Penny Pingleton.
Don’t miss this exciting new line up for London’s happiest, funniest, sunniest show!
Save £25 on tickets to see Hairspray at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London
Great dinner and show packages for Hairspray
See more at our Hairspray website – www.hairspray-london.co.uk
Dine for Free
Great value dinner and show packages
This summer enjoy a free dinner at a host of top West End restaurants when booking tickets to see a show.
Many of the dinner packages in this special promotion include a free dinner AND money off the theatre ticket – making this a great-value way of dining out and enjoying the best of West End theatre.
The best restauants – on us!
Restaurants in the promotion include some of the best and tastiest places to eat in the city, including the Hampshire, Christopher’s, Chez Gerard at the Opera Terrace, Thia Square, Livebait, Ping Pong, The Langley, Salvador Amanda and Ascots.
Let us book your table
All our restaurants are guaranteed to be close to the theatre of your choice and we’ll even book the table for you to make sure your evening goes perfectly to plan.
Many of the packages include a choice of either pre or post theatre dining, allowing you to choose whether to eat before or after the show.
How to book
To book these special packages simply choose the show you wish to see and find out which restaurants we have on offer.
Free dinner at these great shows
See all our dinner packages
See a full list of all of our theatre and dinner packages here
Brian Conley to join Hairspray
Save £25 on tickets to Hairspray at the Shaftesbury Theatre
Brian Conley is to join the cast of Hairspray, replacing Michael Ball as Edna Turnblad, from Monday 27 July. Also joining the cast will be newcomer Chloe Hart playing Tracy Turnblad and Liam Tamne (Wicked) as Link Larkin.
Recently Nigel Planer (The Young Ones) and Verity Rushworth (Emmerdale) joined the Hairspray team. The musical continues to break all box office records at the Shaftesbury Theatre and is booking until April 2010.
Brian Conley is one of the UK’s biggest entertainment stars with credits spanning musicals, television, film, comedy and variety. His career highlights include multiple series of “The Brian Conley Show” for ITV, regular appearances at “The Royal Variety Show”, television comedies “The Grimleys” and “Time After Time” and lead roles in hit musicals “Me & My Girl”, “Jolson” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”, as well as many sold-out comedy and music tours and pantomimes.
In a recent press announcement by the production, Brian said: “I’ve done a lot in my career, but wearing a dress and heels every night and being married to Nigel Planer weren’t things I was expecting to be doing all at the same time, and in front of thousands of people! I’m absolutely delighted to be back in the West End and joining one of the most uplifting, happy and, not to mention, successful shows in town. Being part of something that brings a smile to people’s faces, especially in these troubled times, is a real treat and I can’t wait to get on stage at the Shaftesbury.”
Save £25 on tickets to Hairspray at the Shaftesbury Theatre
Phantom sequel Love Never Dies to open in London
Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s new sequel to The Phantom of the Opera – “Love Never Dies” – will have its world premiere in London, as reported today by Baz Bamigboye in the Daily Mail.
It was initially believed that the new blockbusting musical would open simultaneously in New York, London and Shanghai, but it now appears that managing the logistics of this has proved too complex. However, the show will still break new ground in opening productions around the world in quick succession – starting with London and then following with Toronto, Shanghai and then Broadway.
In London, the show will play at the Adelphi Theatre, owned by Lloyd-Webber’s Really Useful Group, in late October or early November.
Lloyd-Webber also revealed to Baz that, as predicted by previous rumours, Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess will launch the show in the two main leads.
Variety recently reported that the show would open in Toronto at the Canon Theater, where the original Phantom launched in Canada in 1989, although Lloyd-Webber has now confirmed that it will open after London at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto and then go to Broadway.
The show’s music is written by Lloyd Webber with a book by Ben Elton, who has more than proved his musical credentials with We Will Rock You, which continues to pack them in and celebrates the start of its 8th year in London from the end of April.
The book is based on an original idea by best selling author Frederick Forsyth, and is set in Coney Island in 1907.
Ramin Karimloo (pictured) is currently appearing as the Phantom in the West End and will continue in the role in the new production. The actor was born in Iran and brought up in Canada.
A notice placed on the Actors’ Equity Association website says of the plot that, “the mysterious “Maestro” who runs the theatre at Coney Island announces a one-off concert by legendary Parisian soprano Christine Daaé. Her arrival in New York with husband Raoul, Victome de Chagny and son Gustave, and their subsequent meeting with the “Maestro,” bring the cataclysmic events of 10 years earlier at the Paris Opera crashing back into all their lives.”
Director Jack O’Brien and choreographer Jerry Mitchell – the dream team from the Hairspray musical – will stage the show.
O’Brien said to Baz that Lloyd-Webber was enormously passionate about the project: “‘It is like the last flowering of a great era of lyric romanticism – the theatre doesn’t seem to have that any more.”
It is unclear whether Jospeh, currently playing at the Adelphi Theatre starring Gareth Gates, will extend its run until Love Never Dies Opens.
BOOK TICKETS TO THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA – PLUS SAVE ON THEATRE AND DINNER PACKAGES
Original article published 20 March 2009
Nigel Planer to join Hairspray; Michaell Ball extends run
The producers of Hairspray have announced that Nigel Planer and Verity Rushworth are to join the cast of the multi-award winning musical, beginning on Monday 2 February. Nigel takes over the role of ‘Wilbur Turnblad’, husband of larger than life ‘Edna’ played by Michael Ball. Verity will play ‘Penny Pingleton’, best friend of ‘Tracy Turnblad’ played by Leanne Jones.
Nigel Planer is best known as Neil in ‘The Young Ones. His numerous West End credits include ‘Chicago’, ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ and ‘Wicked’. Verity joined the cast of ‘Emmerdale’ in the role of Donna Windsor-Dingle at the age of 12, and has gone on to become one of the show’s best loved characters. She leaves the programme onscreen at the end of January 2009. She also appeared in the 2007 season of ITV’s ‘Soapstar Superstar’.
Current and original lead performers Michael Ball, Leanne Jones and Ben James-Ellis have all extended their contracts to remain with the show and will now perform until Saturday 25 July 2009. The role of ‘Edna Turnblad’ is the longest continuing part that Michael has ever played in the West End.
The smash hit award-winning musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre won ‘Best Musical’ as well as ‘Best Actor in a Musical’ for Michael Ball and ‘Best Actress in a Musical’ for Leanne Jones at the 2008 Olivier Awards.
Free hotels offer
Free London hotel rooms on offerin major new West End theatre promotion
Thousands of free rooms included in the price of a ticket to 13 major West End shows
Westendtheatre.com has announced a major new promotion offering free hotel rooms in London when buying a theatre ticket.Shows included in the promotion include successful musicals Hairspray, Joseph, Grease, Sunset Boulevard, Chicago, Billy Elliot, Wicked, The Sound of Music and Zorro.
Running until 31st March 2009, the promotion features a range of hotels across London. A 3* hotel is offered free when booking one of the 13 shows available, with also the opportunity to upgrade to a 4* or 5* hotel for a small additional fee. Prices start at only £44.75 per person for a twin room and tickets to a show, based on two people sharing.
