- All Shows
- Calendar of Shows
- Musicals
- Family
- Dance / Ballet
- Opera
- Comedy
- Children's
- One Nighters
- Drama
- Summer School
News
Press releases can be downloaded from the Press Centre.
For press enquiries only, please contact Robin Hancox on 02380 711803, or email him at robin.hancox@ mayflower.org.uk.
For all other enquiries please use the contact details on the Contact Us page.
Michael Ball will star in HAIRSPRAY
Mon 10 Aug 2009
MICHAEL BALL TO REPRISE HIS OLIVIER AWARD WINNING ROLE EDNA TURNBLAD AT THE MAYFLOWER SOUTHAMPTON
The producers of HAIRSPRAY are delighted to announce that the show will arrive at The Mayflower, Southampton starring Michael Ball from 11 – 29 May next year as part of its first ever tour of the UK and Ireland.
Michael Ball, who originated the role of larger than life heroine Edna Turnblad in the London production, will open the tour at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff on Wednesday 7 April 2010, before arriving at The Mayflower Theatre in May.
Michael Ball has had an award-winning career both in the West End and on Broadway. A best selling recording artist, he has starred in musicals on both sides of the Atlantic, including The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Aspects of Love, Passion, The Woman in White and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. He has had several of his own television shows including his Michael Ball Christmas Special and An Evening with Michael Ball. His numerous solo albums and international concert tours have all been best-sellers, and he presents Michael Ball’s Sunday Brunch each week for BBC Radio 2.
Its 1962, the 50s are out and change is in the air. Baltimore’s Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has only one passion – dancing. She wins a spot on the local TV dance programme, The Corny Collins Show and, overnight, is transformed from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity. But can a trendsetting hair-hopper like Tracy get her massively shy Mom out of the apartment, beat evil Amber to be crowned Miss Hairspray, integrate Corny’s show for good AND win the heart of local heartthrob Link Larkin, all without denting her ‘do? If anyone can, Tracy can!
Commenting on the Hairspray tour Michael said:
“I knew when I originally took on the part of Edna that she was going to be a big part of my life, in every way, but I never realised just how big. Hairspray is truly one of the greatest experiences of my career and chance to have just a few more nights in the those frocks was an opportunity I couldn’t miss! On top of this, to now be working with Stage Entertainment developing new shows, new roles and new opportunities as both a performer and a producer is an honour and something I can’t wait to get stuck in to.”
Dennis Hall, Chief Executive of The Mayflower Theatre added
“I am delighted that we are able to bring this exciting West End production along with its star, Michael Ball to the people of the south next year. It is a huge coup for the Mayflower to present a show of this calibre, and it truly validates the investment we are making in improving the theatre’s facilities for the years to come.”
Producer Adam Spiegel also added:
“We are over the moon that Michael has agreed to launch the Hairspray tour for us. The show has been a huge success in London, not to mention around the world, and Michael has been a big, big part of the Hairspray story so far. It’s doubly exciting that not only do more people around the UK now get to see his gorgeous Edna Turnblad, but we as a company get to work with Michael more closely than ever behind the scenes as we develop new work together.”
The smash hit award-winning musical HAIRSPRAY at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London recouped its entire capitalisation in a record-breaking 29 weeks. The show opened in October 2007 to universal critical acclaim and smash hit business. At the 2008 Olivier Awards, HAIRSPRAY won Best Musical, as well as Best Actor in a Musical for Michael Ball. The show has also won Best Musical at the Evening Standard Awards, the Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers Choice awards, the Critics Circle Awards and the Variety Club Showbiz Awards.
The musical continues to break all box office records at London’s Shaftesbury Theatre and is now booking until October 2010.
Tickets for HAIRSPRAY (Tuesday 11 - Saturday 29 May 2010) are on sale from The Mayflower Box Office tel: 02380 711811, online at mayflower.org.uk or in person from the new Mayflower ticket south shop in The Mall (Marlands), Southampton.
