Hairspray 2021 UK tour / 2024 UK Tour

Could just be an old listing they're using from the last tour. This starts in two months so hopefully we get a casting update sooner than later.

I’ve just seen on the Hairspray website they’ve confirmed Norman Pace on their front page it’s nice to have confirmation, I wonder if Brenda will do it for a third go.

Back from opening night in Plymouth.

Bear bones touring set with back projection cloth again, it’s reached Spamalot levels.

Actor playing Link and most of the actors playing teens look mid 30’s.

No encore of Can’t Stop the Beat, single line bow and then off the stage. Kinda deflated the ending on what should feel like a triumphant return to the theatre, was looking for a punch the air moment.

Still enjoyed it but with the toned down ending compared to past shows… don’t know… made what should have felt special not so.

How is Rebecca Thornhill in this? One of my favourite performers.

BBC's report on the tour was that it stated they performed virtually up until their recent rehearsals. I wonder how true this was, I can only see them getting slicker with time.

Sounds fair, two plus a tech week is plenty.

As an existing, well-known work, I wouldn't expect more than three weeks for a 'B' domestic musical revival nowadays, with the technology available and budgets as they are. I've done revival tours with all the Q's still saved in the QLab file from last time, teched the thing in four days.

It's not like they have to devise the piece, make cuts, do character work and rehearsal room "exploration". It's "we hired you ready for the part, do this like this". A cumulative week on music and a week on steps, and off you to go to save the world.

Right, no program sold at the show so had to google…

Katie Brace - really good and fun performance, lots of energy though a bit vocally wobbly at times, but it was opening night, nerves can be forgiven.

Alex Bourne & Norman Pace - Nice double act and they really kicked it into high gear for their duet… but nothing holds a candle to Brain Connolly and Les Dennis turn for me.

Ross Clifton - Again fine… but the dude looked mid 30’s, maybe the further you sit back the less distracting it is, I was at the front.

Brenda Edwards - Brenda Edwards… enough said.

Rebecca Jane Davies - Really good, throws herself into the part but lacked a bit of needed humph for the ‘Tasted Chocolate’ line needed to get the laughs.

Rebecca Thornhill - Funny to think I first saw her in 1989 in Doctor Who - The Ultimate Adventure at the age of 5. Sad to realise until I googled the cast I did not know it was her. Again really good performance, gave it the full bitch treatment.

Charlotte St Croix - How old is the character meant to be again? Because that girl be drinking her milk

Same. She is just wonderful. I feel a bit sad she’s touring in this low rent production though.

I’d like to see her back in a leading role in the west end please, when things resume normally.

Hahaha same! ANDREW O’Connor? What ever happened to him?!!!

Well, you certainly can’t stop the beat after watching tonight’s performance at the Liverpool Empire. With Alex Bourne absent tonight we had Paul Hutton on as Edna along with the rest of the cast. With 2.5 hours great entertainment being provided by the cast and band. Despite the lack of much of in the way of sets, the cast more than made up for in the singing and delivery of the script.

As a stage debut, Katie Brace was great as Tracey with a lively and fun performance to watch. As a double act, Paul Hutton and Norman Pace absolutely hit the mark not just for me but for the entire audience tonight. Their Act 2 duet of “Your Timeless To Me” had the right balance of romance and humour and the pair got a massive round of applause at the end of their number. Rebecca Thornhill hit the mark as Velma, but that it’s a shame that we didn’t get to hear more from her during the show as that voice was just gorgeous to listen to. Ross Clifton as Link again, great vocal in his numbers. What can you say about Brenda Edwards and her show stopping number? As soon as the song started and she started singing that was the one time tonight you could hear a pin drop in that auditorium for those minutes. An absolutely stunning number delivered with such emotion. It’s the second time I’ve seen her in this role, but that song and her performance still delivers the goods on a repeat viewing.

This really is a joyful and uplifting musical with its more serious message on equality. For me Hairspray is a show that never fails to to put a smile on my face and everyone including myself walking out of the theatre had a great night out.