Theatregoers in Manchester will be the very first in the country to experience the return of Hairspray, as producers Mark Goucher, Matthew Gale and Laurence Myers have confirmed the city will host the official opening leg of the musical’s major 2027 UK and Ireland tour.
The Olivier Award-winning production is scheduled to take over the Manchester Palace Theatre stage from 2 July until 19 July 2027. Following its initial two-and-a-half-week residency on Oxford Street, the musical comedy will travel to other prominent venues across the country, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Dublin, before concluding in early 2028.
Co-directed by Brenda Edwards and Paul Kerryson, the production features choreography by Olivier Award winner Drew McOnie.
Television and stage actor Neil Hurst is also confirmed to return to the company, reprising his comedic role as Edna Turnblad, with full casting announcements for the wider tour expected to follow soon.
The stage show is adapted from the cult 1988 film by John Waters, featuring a book by Mark OโDonnell and Thomas Meehan.ย
The production’s famous score, written by the Academy Award, Tony, and Emmy-winning songwriting duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, includes standard musical theatre hits such as Welcome To The 60s, You Canโt Stop The Beat, and Good Morning Baltimore.
Creative Production Crew Assembled for 2027 Launch
Neil Hurst returns to the role of Edna Turnblad following his recent turn in the national tour of The Full Monty and regular headline roles at the Nottingham Theatre Royal’s annual pantomime.
Beyond his theatre background, Hurst is well known to television audiences for his recurring live improvisation sketches alongside host Michael McIntyre on BBC One’s Michael McIntyreโs Big Show.
The backstage creative group tasked with launching the tour in Manchester includes set and costume design by Takis, lighting design by Philip Gladwell, sound design by Ben Harrison, and projection design by George Reeve.
The production’s music will be overseen by musical supervisor Ben Atkinson, with Richard Atkinson providing live musical direction, alongside casting by Grindrod Burton, associate direction by Juliet Gough, and associate choreography by Shaquille Brush.
Director Brenda Edwards Cites the Show’s Enduring Cultural Appeal
Brenda Edwards, who first rose to prominence on ITV’s The X-Factor in 2005 before becoming a regular panellist on Loose Women and presenter for Songs of Praise, expressed her excitement about returning to co-direct the production alongside Paul Kerryson.
Edwards said:ย
โI am so thrilled that this wonderful musical is returning to cities across the UK as it holds a very special place in my heart!
“I had so much fun making my directorial debut as a co-director with Paul Kerrysonย first time round.
“The showโs story and themes continue to remain as relevant as ever and I cannot wait to share this vibrant new production of this timeless musical with even more people.โ
Her extensive stage career previously includes playing Motormouth Maybelle across three national tours of Hairspray, alongside West End roles such as Killer Queen in We Will Rock You and Mama Morton in Chicago.
