The 2027 UK and Ireland tour of Hairspray The Musical has confirmed its first major cast announcement, with Neil Hurst returning to play Edna Turnblad.
Further casting is still to be announced, which means fans are still waiting to hear who will play Tracy Turnblad, Link Larkin, Motormouth Maybelle and the rest of the Baltimore gang. But even at this early stage, the production already has a familiar face and a strong creative team behind it.
Neil Hurst will reprise the role of Edna Turnblad, Tracy’s warm, funny and protective mother. It is one of the most recognisable roles in Hairspray, needing comedy, heart and a performer who can hold the stage with confidence.
Hurst’s previous theatre credits include The Full Monty, Early Doors Live, Fat Friends The Musical, Evita, Bouncers, Two and The Last Five Years. He is also an award-winning pantomime performer and has appeared on television in Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, Coronation Street, Casualty, Doctors, The Syndicate and All Creatures Great and Small.
The production will be co-directed by Brenda Edwards and Paul Kerryson. Edwards has a long history with Hairspray, having previously played Motormouth Maybelle in three tours of the musical. Kerryson also brings extensive musical theatre experience, including previous work on Hairspray, Chicago, Sweeney Todd, West Side Story and 42nd Street.
The choreography comes from Drew McOnie, an Olivier Award-winning choreographer whose credits include In the Heights, Jesus Christ Superstar, Strictly Ballroom, Bugsy Malone and previous work on Hairspray.
So while the full cast list has not yet been revealed, this new tour is already shaping up around experience, familiarity and a creative team that knows how to bring big energy to the stage.
Who Is In The Creative Team For Hairspray?
The 2027 UK and Ireland tour of Hairspray will be co-directed by Brenda Edwards and Paul Kerryson, with choreography by Drew McOnie.
That is a strong creative line-up because all three have a clear connection to musical theatre, touring productions and big-stage work. Brenda Edwards also has a personal history with Hairspray, having previously played Motormouth Maybelle in three tours of the show before stepping into the director’s chair.
Brenda Edwards
Brenda Edwards returns as co-director of this production alongside Paul Kerryson.
Many audiences will know Edwards from television, including Loose Women, Songs of Praise and her 2005 appearance on The X Factor. On stage, she has played major musical theatre roles including Killer Queen in We Will Rock You, Mama Morton in Chicago, Nettie Fowler in Carousel and Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray.
Her connection to Hairspray makes her involvement especially interesting. This is not simply a director coming to the material cold; Edwards knows the world of the show from the inside, having performed one of its most powerful roles.
Paul Kerryson
Paul Kerryson co-directs the production with Brenda Edwards.
He is currently Artistic Director and Chief Executive at Buxton Opera House, and was previously Artistic Director of Leicester Curve. His directing credits include Chicago, Sweeney Todd, West Side Story, 42nd Street, The King and I, Calamity Jane and the current touring production of Hairspray.
That gives the production a reassuring musical theatre backbone. Hairspray needs pace, comedy, colour and control, and Kerryson’s previous work suggests he knows how to handle a big, busy stage musical.
Drew McOnie
Drew McOnie provides the choreography for the tour.
McOnie won the Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreography for In the Heights and has worked on shows including Jesus Christ Superstar, Strictly Ballroom, Bugsy Malone, Oklahoma!, The Sound of Music, Chicago and previous productions of Hairspray.
His involvement matters because Hairspray is a show that lives through movement. The music is full of bounce, rhythm and 1960s energy, so the choreography is not just decoration — it is part of the storytelling.
Full Creative Team
The creative team for the 2027 UK and Ireland tour of Hairspray includes:
Co-Directors: Brenda Edwards and Paul Kerryson
Choreographer: Drew McOnie
Set and Costume Designer: Takis
Lighting Designer: Philip Gladwell
Sound Designer: Ben Harrison
Projection / Video Designer: George Reeve
Musical Supervisor and Arranger: Ben Atkinson
Musical Director: Richard Atkinson
Casting: Grindrod Burton
Associate Director: Juliet Gough
Associate Choreographer: Shaquille Brush
Grace’s View
There is something rather lovely about Hairspray coming back round again. It is bright, bold and full of songs people know, but it also has a proper heart underneath all that hairspray and sparkle.
Neil Hurst returning as Edna feels like a good starting point. Edna is not just a comedy role. She has to be funny, yes, but also loveable, nervous, warm and believable as Tracy’s mam. Get Edna wrong and the whole thing wobbles a bit. Get her right, and suddenly the show has that big soft centre it needs.
I am also intrigued to see who they cast as Tracy. That role carries the show’s message of confidence and change, so it will be one of the key announcements to watch.
FAQs
Who is starring in the 2027 UK and Ireland tour of Hairspray?
Neil Hurst has been confirmed to return as Edna Turnblad. Further casting is still to be announced.
Who is playing Tracy Turnblad?
The casting for Tracy Turnblad has not yet been announced.
Who is directing this production of Hairspray?
The production is co-directed by Brenda Edwards and Paul Kerryson.
Is Brenda Edwards starring in Hairspray?
Brenda Edwards is not currently announced as starring in the production. She is returning as co-director, alongside Paul Kerryson.
When does the Hairspray 2027 tour begin?
The tour opens at Manchester Palace Theatre on 2 July 2027 before travelling to venues across the UK and Ireland.
Where is Hairspray touring?
Announced venues include Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Dublin, Belfast, Southend, Wimbledon, Liverpool, Bradford, Sunderland, Milton Keynes, Malvern, Birmingham, York, Leicester, Brighton, Woking and Bristol.
Hairspray 2027 UK And Ireland Tour Dates
The 2027 UK and Ireland tour of Hairspray The Musical opens at the Palace Theatre, Manchester on 2 July 2027, before travelling to theatres across the UK and Ireland.
| Venue | City | Dates | Ticket Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palace Theatre | Manchester | 2 July – 19 July 2027 | On sale |
| King’s Theatre | Glasgow | 20 July – 25 July 2027 | On sale |
| Edinburgh Playhouse | Edinburgh | 27 July – 1 August 2027 | On sale |
| Wales Millennium Centre | Cardiff | 3 August – 7 August 2027 | On sale soon |
| Bord Gáis Energy Theatre | Dublin | 9 August – 14 August 2027 | On sale soon |
| Grand Opera House | Belfast | 16 August – 21 August 2027 | On sale soon |
| Southend Cliffs Pavilion | Southend | 24 August – 29 August 2027 | On sale |
| New Wimbledon Theatre | Wimbledon | 31 August – 4 September 2027 | On sale soon |
| Liverpool Empire | Liverpool | 13 September – 18 September 2027 | On sale |
| Bradford Alhambra Theatre | Bradford | 20 September – 25 September 2027 | On sale soon |
| Sunderland Empire | Sunderland | 27 September – 2 October 2027 | On sale |
| Milton Keynes Theatre | Milton Keynes | 4 October – 9 October 2027 | On sale |
| Malvern Theatres | Malvern | 11 October – 16 October 2027 | On sale |
| Birmingham Hippodrome | Birmingham | 25 October – 30 October 2027 | On sale soon |
| Grand Opera House | York | 1 November – 6 November 2027 | On sale |
| Curve | Leicester | 8 November – 13 November 2027 | On sale soon |
| Theatre Royal Brighton | Brighton | 15 November – 20 November 2027 | On sale |
| New Victoria Theatre | Woking | 22 November – 27 November 2027 | On sale |
| Bristol Hippodrome | Bristol | 10 January – 15 January 2028 | On sale |
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