Hit musical Hairspray to call at Theatre Royal, Nottingham, on UK and Ireland tour

The smash hit musical Hairspray is back on tour, bringing Tracy Turnblad’s big hair, a big heart, and big dreams to the stage.

The 2024/25 UK and Ireland tour will visit the Theatre Royal, Nottingham, from Monday, November 4, to Saturday, November 9.

An iconic musical comedy, the show features some of musical theatre’s best hit songs including Welcome To The 60s, You Can’t Stop The Beat and Good Morning Baltimore by Academy Award, Tony and Emmy winning duo Marc Shaiman (music and lyrics) and Scott Wittman (lyrics).

The timeless story of Hairspray centres around heroine Tracy Turnblad, who has big hair, a big heart, and big dreams to dance her way onto national TV, and into the heart of teen idol Link Larkin.

When Tracy becomes a local star, she is able to use her newfound fame to fight for liberation, tolerance, and interracial unity in Baltimore. But can she win equality — and Link’s heart — without denting her ’do?

Alexandra Emerson-Kirby will make her professional debut as Tracy Turnblad. Her passion for musical theatre started at her local YMCA Theatre in Scarborough after which she went on to train professionally at Italia Conti where she recently graduated in Musical Theatre & Dance.

She will be joined by soul and gospel singer Michelle Ndegwa, best known for her performances as a vocalist for the Gorillaz, who will also make her professional debut in the principal role of Motormouth Maybelle having been selected from more than 3,000 people who applied to the open auditions in November last year.

Brenda Edwards, who previously played Motormouth Maybelle in three productions of Hairspray directed by Paul Kerryson, now joins this production to direct alongside Kerryson.

The production is choreographed by Olivier Award winner and artistic director of Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, Drew McOnie