Hairspray - Ian Talbot joins cast
Story by Lizzie Guilfoyle
FROM January 28, 2008, Ian Talbot who last year stepped down as Artistic Director of the Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park after 20 years, will take over the role of Wilbur Turnblad from Mel Smith in the hit musical Hairspray, which is now booking until April 4, 2009.
Talbot directed and appeared in numerous musicals at the Open Air Theatre, including the acclaimed revival of Sandy Wilson’s The Boyfriend. He has also appeared on stage in the West End and for the RSC; while his television credits include Midsomer Murders, The Bill, Poirot, As Time Goes By, Heartbeat and Doctor Who. He was awarded an OBE in this year’s New Year Honours List.
Based on John Waters’ cult 1988 film, Hairspray is the story of Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart. But Tracy has a passion – to dance. And when she wins a spot on the local TV dance programme, ‘The Corny Collins Show’, she becomes an overnight success – no longer an outsider but an irrepressible teen celebrity.
The stage adaptation, which is directed by Jack O’Brien and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, has a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, with music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Whitman and Shaiman.
The current cast of Hairspray includes Michael Ball in the cross-dressing role of Edna Turnblad, newcomer Leanne Jones as Tracy, Tracie Bennett, Rachel Wooding, Paul Manuel, Adrian Hansell, Elinor Collett, Natalie Best, Johnnie Fiori and Ben James-Ellis.