Big Hair, Big Heart Big Hit, Hairspray is Heading to Milton Keynes Theatre

Its 1962, the 50s are out and change is in the air. Baltimore’s Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has only one passion – dancing. She wins a spot on the local TV dance programme, The Corny Collins Show and, overnight, is transformed from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity. But can a trendsetting hair-hopper like Tracy get her massively shy Mom out of the apartment, beat evil Amber to be crowned Miss Hairspray, integrate Corny’s show for good AND win the heart of local heartthrob Link Larkin, all without denting her ‘do? If anyone can, Tracy can! Follow the heart warming story of Tracy Turnblad as she sets out to follow her extraordinary dreams, inspire her mum and win the boy she loves.

Brian Conley, one of the UK’s biggest entertainment stars with credits spanning musicals, television, film, comedy and variety, reprises his role of larger than life heroine ‘Edna Turnblad’ for the Milton keynes leg of the tour. Brians career highlights include multiple series of The Brian Conley Show for ITV, regular appearances at The Royal Variety Show, television comedies The Grimleys and Time After Time and lead roles in hit musicals The Music Man, Me & My Girl, Jolson and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, as well as many sold out comedy and music tours and pantomimes.

Brian says ““After playing Edna in the West End, I’m absolutely delighted to take it on the first UK tour. It’s a fantastic show – and I get paid to wear woman’s clothes! Taking it out of London opens it up to people around the country to see what a great spectacle it is. It really is one of the best comedy roles in any musical, and one of the funniest parts I have ever played.”

Brian is joined by fellow comedian and household name Les Dennis who plays the loveable, ever so slightly crazy joke shop owner ‘Wilbur Turnblad’. Les is acknowledged as one of Britain’s most popular entertainers, his career spanning television, radio, film, stage and the written word. Rising to fame on the comedy circuit Les soon found television success on comedy and variety shows as well as a hugely successful run as a game show host on Family Fortunes. He has starred in many stage productions from sell out pantomimes to plays by Shakespeare, Priestley and Ayckbourn and on screen his guest star credits include New Street Law, The Bill, Holby City and Extras. As a leading man in musical theatre he has starred in Me & My Girl, Chicago and recently in the West End, Eurobeat.

Les says of playing Wibur “Wilbur is a lovely, decent man who loves his wife and daughter so, immediately, holds the audience's attention. I am excited to be working in such a brilliant and high-profile show with Brian”

Danny Bayne, who won ITV’s Grease is the Word will play ‘Corny Collins’, winner of GMTV’s search for Troy in High School Musical 2, Liam Doyle will take on the role of ‘Link Larkin’ and Laurie Scarth will play ‘Tracy Turnblad’. Other cast will include Sandra Marvin as ‘Motormouth Maybelle’, Gillian Kirkpatrick as ‘Velma Von Tussle’ and Wayne Robinson as ‘Seaweed’, Emma Dukes as ‘Penny Pingleton’, Clare Hulse as ‘Amber Von Tussle’ and Seliza Sebastian as ‘Little Inez’.

The smash hit award-winning musical opened in October 2007 to universal critical acclaim and smash hit business. At the 2008 Olivier Awards, Hairspray won Best Musical, as well as Best Actor in a Musical for Michael Ball. The show has also won Best Musical at the Evening Standard Awards, the Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers Choice awards, the Critics’ Circle Awards and the Variety Club Showbiz Awards.

Hairspray is the musical with everything, the ultimate feel-good show which has played to sold out houses in London, on Broadway and theatres around the globe. Book your tickets today at Milton Keynes Theatre Box Office, call 0844 8717652 or visit www.ambassadortickets.com/miltonkeynes