The producers of the 2024/25 UK and Ireland tour of Hairspray have announced initial casting for the smash hit musical, which heads to the Midlands later this year.

Brenda Edwards who previously played Motormouth Maybelle in three productions of Hairspray directed by Paul Kerryson, now joins this production to direct alongside Kerryson. The production is choreographed by Olivier Award winner and artistic director of Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, Drew McOnie.

Casting includes Neil Hurst (Edna Turnblad), Joanne Clifton (Velma Von Tussle), Michelle Ndegwa (Motormouth Maybelle), Soloman Davy (Link Larkin), Declan Egan (Corny Collins) Alexandra Emerson-Kirby (Tracy Turnblad), Katlo (Little Inez), Reece Richards(Seaweed) and Allana Taylor (Amber Von Tussle). Ensemble includes: Ben Anderson, Grace Anyiam, Nina Bell, Joseph Bristow, Vanessa Dumatey, Rebecca French, Stuart Hickey, Jaiden Lodge, Olly Manley, Sasha Monique, Jacob Smith and Issy Wilman. Further casting will be announced soon.

Michelle Ndegwa will make her professional debut in the principal role of Motormouth Maybelle having been selected from more than 3000 people who applied to the open auditions in November last year. A soul and gospel singer, best known for her performances as a vocalist for the Gorillaz, Michelle has recorded with Billy Porter, Gregory Porter (Troy Miller), Shapeshifters, and more.

Alexandra Emerson-Kirby will also be making her professional debut as Tracy Turnblad. Her passion for musical theatre started at her local YMCA Theatre in Scarborough after which she went on to train professionally at Italia Conti where she recently graduated in Musical Theatre & Dance.

This iconic musical comedy features some of musical theatre’s best hit songs including Welcome To The 60s, You Can’t Stop The Beat and Good Morning Baltimore by Academy Award, Tony and Emmy winning duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

The timeless story of Hairspray centres around heroine Tracy Turnblad, who has big hair, a big heart, and big dreams to dance her way onto national TV, and into the heart of teen idol Link Larkin. When Tracy becomes a local star, she is able to use her newfound fame to fight for liberation, tolerance, and interracial unity in Baltimore. But can she win equality, and Link’s heart, without denting her ’do?

Hairspray shows at Birmingham Hippodrome from 16 - 21 September 2024 and Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from 3 - 8 February 2025, with tickets now on sale.

Image used from Hairspray UK tour 2021