Booked into Southampton and May (see link below)

It says "Direct from the west end" Does this mean the London production with close, with a tour this big, I would think so, but does anyone know anything official?

http://mayflower.org.uk/event.asp?show=HAIR10

Depends how well it's doing in the West End. If it's still selling tickets (which I'm sure it is) then I'm sure it will have 2 companies like it did in America. Saying "Direct from the West End" is just producer talk to sell tickets. Also if it was closing in the West End, I'm sure Michael Ball would return to close the show.

Just found this as well:

The West End's favourite musical comedy, Hairspray, is coming to Southampton next spring!

STAR CASTING TO BE ANNOUNCED VERY SOON

Hairspray is the musical with everything - the ultimate feel-good show which has played to sold out houses in London, on Broadway and at theatres around the globe.

Has it been announced that it's going anywhere else or just Southampton?
And what kind of size is the theatre it's playing at cause if it's really big it wont come near me and I wont be happy

I know its doing Manchester and somewhere in Ireland, dont know of any other places yet, The MAyflower holds 2300, so ALOT of people, I think all its tour stops will actually hold more people than the London home, which even more makes me think the London one will close as ticket sales aren't AMAZING... especially mid-week!

YES.
Do you know which theatre?

And its ticket sales are fine... I know for a fact that one of the cast members was struggling to get tickets for their family any better than about row Z, it's doing extremely well over summer.

Manchester Palace.

It's going to Edinburgh too. And Birmingham.

Really!!? What with Les Mis and now Hairspray! I'm going to be broke next year!

And there goes that month's allowance... Now if only it's the right cast!

when is hairspray on at manchester theatre i watched it in london and loved it so defo going again

Does anyone have info on IRELAND?

I'm so glad it's coming to the Southampton Mayflower, I live in Salisbury, which is only a 20 minute drive away. The Mayflower is a wonderful theatre, very spacious and well-decorated!

I hear a big announcement in cast is going to happen on the 14 August.

so fingers crossed for a good one!!

August 14th is also when we will get full list of tour dates and we will discover the fate of the London production!

I HONESTLY think they will struggle to sell both, especially with London's ticket sales already, they are not too good mid-week, I mean, it is summer holidays, a show that is aimed at kids, and still good availability for every performance throughout August and September!

The london production isnt closing, the tour is happening as well. Brian Conley is only on a 3 month contract so after october im sure they will bring in another big name to boost sales. If the right person is cast as tracy i will be VERY happy. I saw fame at the mayflower and i really liked it there, not to far from london either.

If the RIGHT person is cast as Tracy, then I'll be very happy too.

If the person thats been in talks for months about taking Tracy does then i'll be very happy.
Wouldnt suprise me if Michael did the tour either.

reveal this mystery please! The suspense is killing me. Are you talking about Leanne doing the tour?? Or Marissa? Oh my gosh Marissa would be amazing!!! Bring her over!!!

Contrary to 'guest' speculation on this thread, Hairspray is stronger than ever. It is currently booking until October 2010 and they have just announced they will be doing Sunday performances from November 8th this year. The West End production is 100% continuing while the show goes on tour.

The early post is correct, casting for early venues will be announced on 14th August, so wait and see!

Does anyone know when the tour officially begins? Is Southampton the first date or does it start earlier elsewhere?

Marissa wouldn't sell tickets...I love hairspray and don't know who she is.
Leanne meh
Someone better

Some of us believe there is no one better than Leanne in that role. But Im not holding out hope that she will do the tour. Sadly.

It would have been great to have seen Marissa when the show first opened on Broadway but I actually think she is to old for thge part now.

Still, whoever plays Tracy, I'll be seeing the tour.

All things considered, Tracy is 16, am I right?? Marissa is, methinks, 35.

However, she came back to Hairspray on Broadway when it closed, so, stranger things have happened.

Some of us also believe there are a few people better than leanne. But shes left now luckily. wouldnt suprise me if she wanted the tour, as far as i know she hasnt been in talks.

Im just hoping its not Shane Ritchie as Edna and Ray Quinn as Link!!

Please don't give anyone any ideas haha!

I think Ray would make an ok Link actually. Put him on Stilts and he'd be great.

if there would be one thing that would make me not see this tour it would be Ray Quinn as link. please no.....

Yeah same here, also Shane Ritchie would stop me to.

Does anyone know that the tour will have a website as of the 14th August ? xx

Ray really isn't as talented as people make out.
Yes he can sing.
Acting he can not
Theatre=vocal strain.

Hi I've just had a letter from the Wales Millennium Centre (Promise members get it in advance)Michael Ball will be appearing as Edna from 30th Mar to 24th April 2010

Ian R

Thanks for that - great news!

Any other cast announced?

No not yet

If this is true it doesnt suprise me at all

Nor me.

http://www.hairspraythemusical.co.uk/tour/

yea that doesnt have anything about michael ball, not until the 14th

someone posted this at the hairspray forum:

I'm a member of Michael Balls official fan club & today received an email from them confirming he is definitely going to be Edna for the tour!!! No other cast has been confirmed. Confirmed dates so far are:

Cardiff: Wales Millennium Centre for 4 weeks: 22 March- 25 April
Glasgow: SECC Clyde Auditorium for 2 weeks: 27 April - 9 May
Southampton: The Southampton Mayflower for 3 weeks: 11 May - 30 may
Manchester: The Palace Theatre for 3 weeks: 13 July- 1 August
Edinburgh: The Edinburgh playhouse for 4 weeks: 14 December 2010 - 9 Jan 2011.

I am very close to a good friend of Shaiman's. The above is 100% accurate. Michael Ball will be wearing a dress until the end of time.

That last bit really made me laugh.

just goes to show how much Michael Ball truly loves the role I guess. Glad he's gonna be back (that is if rumours are true...)

According to the mayflower website, a casting announcement will be made this afternoon!

Unfortunately Mr Ball will be reprising his role for the tour!

http://mayflower.org.uk/news.asp?news=157

Brilliant news in my opinion, cant wait to see him in the role again.

On another note considering the Mayflower has only put the show on sale to the public today there is already quite a number of seats sold already which is nice to see.

Does anyone have any idea of who will be playing Tracy?

Its been on presale to members for the last week, so many of the seats sold were sold in the last week. I think this will be a huge hit on tour!

Michael must really love the role as he's a big nough star not to need to do regional tours and there is always the rumoured Londo return. It just crossed my mind with Brian going off to do Panto in December/January and stating he'd like to return to the role will Michael step back in for the Christmas period as it would not be a huge run and would boost ticket sales and thus keep the role between Brian and Michael for the forseeable future.

There will always be speculation about the role and with the other guys in frocks role in Le Cage and Priscillia, I'd expect the same names will come up for these roles especially the later two.

Heard a rumour Peter Kaye will be filling in over Christmas at Shaftesbury. Wonder if he might also fill in the tour dates Michael Ball isn't doing?

Michael Ball is confirmed as an Associate Producer for all future Stage Entertainment productions according to a press release today!

Hi guys,
Will the show be coming to the theatre royal plymouth as it hold 1500 seats and is a popular touring house. so hope so and will the tour have a site as of the 14th or if its already got one could someone post the link thanx chris s
xx