Hairspray Tickets

Although it is fairly new on the London theatre scene, 'Hairspray' has gained a reputation for being a fantastically entertaining show packed with great songs, fun dance routines and above all a strong moral back-bone. Based on the 1988 movie by the same name, 'Hairspray' was initially adapted for theatre by producer Margo Lion and director Jack O'Brien, and it opened in August of 2002 on Broadway. An immediate success, the Broadway production was followed by other shows in locations as far afield as Toronto, Las Vegas, Helsinki, Tokyo and Johannesburg, with productions soon to open in South Korea, Italy, Switzerland, Argentina, Brazil and China amongst others. The London musical production of 'Hairspray' opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End on the 30th of October 2007, and was directed and choreographed by the original Broadway team. Michael Ball, Ben James-Ellis and Leanne Jones headed up the West End cast and ultimately helped the production to win four Laurence Olivier Awards, including the coveted Best New Musical. The show had already won eight Tony Awards in the United States, and it's eleven Laurence Olivier nominations in the United Kingdom were record breaking. At present 'Hairspray' is set to stay open in the West End until April 2009, though it is expected the season will be extended due to the show's incredible popularity.

Set in the early 1960s in Baltimore, 'Hairspray' follows the trials and tribulations of a talented teenager Tracy Turnblad. Tracy and her best friend Penny love to watch the live performance television program 'The Corny Collins Show', though their mothers complain that it is too loud and encourages them to listen to 'race' music. Tracy, mocked at her school for being overweight, is desperate to be a famous singer and dancer and is thrilled when it is announced that 'The Corny Collins Show' will be holding auditions for new performers to feature on 'The Nicest Kids in Town' segment. After several disagreements with her parents, Tracy attends the auditions, only to be told by Velma Von Tussle, 'Corny Collins' producer and mother of fellow school-girl Amber, that she is too fat to be involved. Despite being denied a role, Tracy is fortunate to meet 'The Nicest Kids in Town' star Link Larkin, and the two have an instant connection. Tracy decides not to give up, and a few days later she tries some new dance moves at the Sophomore Hop dance that Corny Collins himself is hosting. Impressed with her skills, Corny Collins offers Tracy a position on the show and she gladly accepts, much to the dismay of both Velma and the show's sponsor Mr Spritzer.

Tracy's popularity soars and she is soon the spokesperson for a plus-sized clothing boutique, and is beginning to be accepted around the school. Some of her new friends invite her to accompany them to Motormouth Maybelle's Record Shop, where Tracy talks all of her friends into marching against the station that hosts 'The Corny Collins Show' as they will not allow African-Americans on screen except for on the single designated 'Negro Day' of each month. The march ends in many of the participants being arrested and put in jail, with Tracy being forced to remain in solitary confinement overnight well after all the others have been bailed or released. Desperate to help her, Link sneaks in to the jail and frees her, declaring his love for her at the same time. Along with their friends, Tracy and Link conspire to once again try to have 'The Corny Collins Show' integrated. At the televised Miss Teenage Hairspray competition the next day, Tracy, Link, and all their friends storm the stage just before the winner is announced and announce that 'The Corny Collins Show' is now going to include African-American performers, regardless of what day of the month it is. The show's sponsor Mr Spritzer is surprised by the positive reaction that the announcement receives and decides to honour Tracy's announcement. The story ends with Tracy being declared Miss Teenage Hairspray, and Velma and her daughter Amber being forced to concede defeat.

'Hairspray' is regarded by critics as being one of several feel-good family-friendly musicals currently showing in the West End (others include 'Billy Elliot', 'High School Musical on Stage', 'Mamma Mia!'and 'The Lion King'). The number of awards the musical has garnered, combined with the positive reviews it has received and the fact that it has not been open for long, has lead to the musical becoming one of the most popular amongst tourists taking 'theatre breaks' - holidays orientated entirely around seeing as many new or highly-regarded musicals as possible whilst in London. If you intend to see 'Hairspray' whilst holidaying in London it is recommended that you book early, as tickets frequently sell out ahead of the performance date.