Joyous Sixties-set comedy musical Hairspray is returning to the UK for a national tour next year, with Mark Benton in the role of Edna Turnblad.
T
he tour begins on February 13 2013 at Manchester's Lowry Theatre, and is set to visit Bristol, Belfast, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Milton Keynes, Norwich and Nottingham.
Benton has recently been seen onstage in Devil’s Disciple at the National Theatre, Comedians at the Lyric Hammersmith, Hurly Burly at the Old Vic, Richard III the RSC and The Front Page the Donmar Warehouse. His TV appearances include Catterick, Early Doors, Eureka Street, Waterloo Road, Second Coming, and The Street.
Hairspray began its original West End run at the Shaftesbury Theatre in October 2007, during which it won four Olivier Awards, including Best Musical. It subsequently toured the UK in 2010.
Hairspray is based on the classic comedy movie by cult director John Waters. The book is by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, with music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman.
Further casting will be announced shortly.
