Timeless to Me, Hairspray shakes and shimmies once again, the sheer quality of the show itself shining through just as radiantly at 20 years old. Winner of seven 2003 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Hairspray encapsulates the very essence of what makes Broadway such a joy in our lives.
NEWS: Step 4 of the Government roadmap is still on track for 19 July, announces PM Boris Johnson
Next Monday prime minister Boris Johnson will announce his decision on whether legal restrictions – including those related to social distancing and wearing of face masks – will be lifted in England on 19 July when Step 4 of the Government roadmap is due to be reached.
‘There are numerous scene-stealing turns’: HAIRSPRAY – London Coliseum
After the last 15 months in which theatre has been mostly a wasteland, it is wonderful to be back in one of the grandest theatres of all (the London Coliseum) and watching one of the most delightful of shows (Hairspray).
‘Completely irresistible’: HAIRSPRAY – London Coliseum
Fourteen months and four attempts later, Hairspray is finally back in the West End – the energy, sentiment and exhilaration of the show is completely irresistible.
As restrictions lift, Mark Shenton offers a comprehensive update on opening nights in London & across the UK
This weekly column keeps track of the shows that are coming back, or are newly being announced, as theatres start reopening from tonight (17 May) in London and at other theatres in the UK.
NEWS: Les Dennis joins the cast of Hairspray the Musical at the London Coliseum
Actor Les Dennis is to join the new production of Hairspray the Musical which is set to play a limited season at the London Coliseum from 21 June to 29 September 2021.
Mark Shenton’s weekly chart of forthcoming theatrical comings & goings has some new entries
This weekly column keeps track of the shows that are coming back, or are newly being announced, as theatres prepare to re-open from next month onwards. It will be updated weekly until such time as it becomes a reality, and from then on will provide a weekly update to that week’s openings and future ones.
Returning & new productions heading for the West End & beyond post-lockdown: Are you up to date?
Meanwhile, I want to start keeping track of the shows that are coming back, or are newly being announced, in a new feature here that will be updated weekly until such time as it becomes a reality, and from then on will provide a weekly update to that week’s openings and future ones.
As lockdown restrictions begin to lift, where does that leave theatre?
Today, for the first time since the mid-December lockdown brought the shutters down on most forms of social interaction in public, including the closure of non-essential shops, pubs, restaurants, theatres, cinemas, museums and galleries, Britain is beginning the process of edging out of those some of those restrictions.
When theatre returns can we look forward to some shape-shifting in opinions about are plus-size performers?
As a plus-sized critic myself, I’m not limited in the shows I review; so why should an actor be limited in the roles they’re invited to play?
‘Felt like a true celebration’: MUSICALS: THE GREATEST SHOW – BBC One ★★★★★
Dazzling from start to finish, the high quality of the performances, music and of course the venue featured in Musicals: The Greatest Show reminded us why exactly we are missing the theatre.
NEWS: Hairspray postpones for a second time, now runs for 19 weeks from April 2021
The return of Hairspray the Musical has been postponed again. It will now return next April, a full year after originally scheduled, but now for a longer, 19-week season, rather than ten weeks.
‘Suffused with joy’: HAIRSPRAY LIVE! – The Shows Must Go On (Online review)
Hairspray Live! is such a joyous show it should perk up many a flagging spirit. It proves far superior to the previous week’s NBC Live offering of The Sound of Music.
The Shows Must Go On: Hairspray Live!, featuring Ariana Grande & Jennifer Hudson, is next up on lockdown musicals channel
Free-to-view YouTube Channel The Shows Must Go On continues its theatre lockdown schedule with another ‘live’ television broadcast of a Broadway musical, the star-studded 2016 version of Hairspray Live!
NEWS: Hairspray reschedules its London Coliseum season for this autumn
Producers have announced new dates for the return of Hairspray the Musical which, prior to the coronavirus crisis, had been due to run from 23 April to 30 August 2020 at the London Coliseum. The production will now run for a ten-week season from 1 September to 8 November 2020, with a press night on 8 September.
Mind The Blog’s top five musical choices for 2020
If you’re struggling with all the choice, Mind The Blog has come up with her top five musicals you do not want to miss in 2020.
NEWS: Michael Ball is back in the role of Edna Turnblad as Hairspray the Musical returns to the West End
Michael Ball is to return to his legendary, Olivier Award-winning role of Edna Turnblad as Hairspray the Musical comes to London for a special, strictly limited season in 2020. The multi-award-winning hit musical plays at the London Coliseum for 12 weeks only, beginning performances on 23 April 2020 (press night is 29 April). With the original award-winning creative team of director Jack O’Brien …
‘If you’re a fan of the movie franchise, you’re bound to enjoy this’: BRING IT ON – Southwark Playhouse ★★★
‘She’s a little bit Hairspray, he’s a little bit Glee …’ is not actually a lyric from Bring It On, a high school musical being given a sparky showcase by the British Theatre Academy at Southwark Playhouse, but it might as well be.
‘Vigour, precision & enjoyment’: HAIRSPRAY – Touring ★★★★★
It is hard to know where to start with such a talented and energetic cast. Every cast member in Hairspray brought life and vitality to the performance and executed the complex choreography with vigour, precision and enjoyment in equal measure.
‘The musical just leaps off the stage’: HAIRSPRAY – Touring ★★★★
Hairspray has been touring for years – it was last here in 2016 – and the reason why people are still flocking to see it is there for all to see. It’s a heart-warming and empowering tale that just makes you want to get up and dance.
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