Hairspray opens 2027 tour in Manchester

Hit musical Hairspray will open a new UK tour at the Manchester Palace Theatre next summer (July 2-19 2027), before touring in the north to Liverpool Empire (September 13-18, 2027); Bradford Alhambra (September 20-25); Sunderland Empire (September 27-October 2), and York Grand Opera House (November 1-6).

From a previous production of the show, with Neil Hurst as Edna (in pink). Pic: Pamela Raith

The production will again be jointly directed by Brenda Edwards (Loose Women, Paddington The Musical) and Paul Kerryson (one-time director at the Manchester Library Theatre and Oldham Coliseum, now CEO at Buxton Opera House). Neil Hurst returns as Edna Turnblad. Further casting is still to be announced.

Hairspray is based on the 1988 film of the same name, which starred Divine and Ricki Lake, directed by cult filmmaker John Waters, but the stage production is a bigger, livelier, broader and funnier affair, which opened to rave reviews on Broadway in 2002 and subsequently won eight Tony awards. The show opened in London in 2007 and won four Oliviers, including best new musical, featuring hit songs such as Welcome To The 60s, You Can’t Stop The Beat and Good Morning Baltimore

The story follows around heroine Tracy Turnblad, who has big hair, a big heart and big dreams to dance her way on to national TV and into the heart of teen idol Link Larkin. When she becomes a local star, she is able to use her new-found fame to fight for liberation, tolerance and interracial unity in Baltimore. But can she win equality – and Link’s heart – without denting her hairdo?

More info and tickets here