Brian Conley to join Hairspray
April 23, 2009
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
Nigel Planer to join Hairspray; Michaell Ball extends run
January 19, 2009
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.
