Baltimore Blasts into Eastbourne this Summer

The fabulous feel-good musical Hairspray bounces into Eastbourne’s Devonshire Park Theatre from Monday 2nd to Saturday 7th July and it promises to be a joyous night of musical theatre and an ideal summer treat for all ages.

It’s Baltimore 1962, where Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, is on a mission to follow her dreams and dance her way onto national TV. Tracy’s audition makes her a local star and soon she is using her new-found fame to fight for equality, bagging local heartthrob Link Larkin along the way. Featuring the iconic music and lyrics by Academy Award, Tony and Emmy winning duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, this much-loved musical comedy is the perfect summer night out.

Hairspray is based on the 1988 film of the same name by cult filmmaker John Waters. The musical opened to rave reviews on Broadway in 2002 and subsequently won eight Tonys and four Olivier Awards; following this phenomenal success on stage a film of the musical was released in 2007 starring John Travolta and Michelle Pfeiffer.

Featuring in the cast will be; Raquel Jones (The Bodyguard, Jesus Christ Superstar) who will be returning to the role of Lil’ Inez having played the part for two years during the West End run of the production. Shak Gabbidon-Williams will be making his professional debut as Seaweed and Dan Partridge (Mama Mia!) takes over the role of Link Larkin. Established musical theatre performer Graham MacDuff will now play the role of Wilbur Turnblad alongside Gemma Lawson as Amber Von Tussle and Rosie O’Hare in the leading role of Tracy Turnblad.

Jon Tsouras (A Chorus Line) will appear as Corny Collins, Matt Rixon (The Ladykillers) as Edna Turnblad, Gina Murray (Chicago and Full Monty) as Velma Von Tussle and Annalise Liard-Bailey as Penny Pingleton. Brenda Edwards (X Factor, Chicago) will continue in the role of Motormouth Maybelle and, in a recent interview, she explained about her role in the show…

Could you tell us about Motormouth Maybelle and what attracted you to the role?

I remember watching the original film and then I went to see the Musical in 2007, on Broadway and 2008, in the West End, I really enjoyed the whole show, but was particularly excited by the Motormouth character. Having a Son and Daughter of my own, I could relate to her nurturing strong protective side where she has to be in charge and then there is the entertaining side, where she plays her music and has fun with everyone, whilst having that serious side lending an ear or a shoulder if needed, but she does have her own opinions on things and doesn’t mind voicing it. Owning her own record shop I think she is the central hub where all the kids in the neighbourhood can come and hang out.– and the songs she sings are just fabulous! She has a big personality just like me, so I think it’s a perfect role.

You did the previous tour of Hairspray, what drew you back?

I wanted to come back on this tour production for the second time, because it really helped to get me through, what I was going through, when after the first half of the tour, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. The songs in the show are uplifting in so many different ways and performing in the show helped me not to focus on the chemotherapy. One of the songs that I sing and especially drew strength from, was I Know Where I Have Been, the words already had so much meaning to me, and throughout the rest of the tour helped me to stay positive and keep thinking of brighter days! So I guess to me it was very therapeutic and just what I needed. It is also very important for me to be able to do the tour again because I have got some personal demons to deal with of being able to do the whole tour this time round, there was one venue I couldn’t do at all. But we are going back to it, Venue Cymru in Llandudno. I drove there from our previous venue, Milton Keynes on the Sunday and woke up on the Monday and couldn’t walk. I was just stuck there, for a few days while everyone else was doing the show – I was so upset! So yeah I’m excited about this 2nd tour for so many reasons!

How has it been being back in rehearsals? Does it feel different to the last tour?

Oh my god, yes! It’s amazing! I thought Drew McOnie’s choreography was a lot the first-time round, (well, it was a lot the first-time round). But, this time round, it’s almost like choreography wise we are doing what we had the first time round and then add the same amount on again lol, but all in the same period of time. I also think, as I obviously haven’t been doing much exercise over the last year I’m finding it a bit harder this time round to get up to speed, but the more we run it the easier its becoming ….best all singing all dancing workout ever!! I’m absolutely loving it, the cast are so talented, I’m enjoying getting to know everyone. But it’s great – it’s so much fun and the energy! The energy levels are so high from the start, all the way through. From Good Morning Baltimore to You Can’t Stop the Beat there is just so much going on. This fantastic new cast they are all just on it. Within two weeks, we were doing act one and had staggered act two. So, by week three we were on just getting it into our bodies. The pace is moving so much quicker than it did last time, your brain doesn’t have time to switch off. I can’t wait! I can’t wait! We saw the new set design and it looks amazing, Takis is so talented! It is going to be amazing! It’s bigger and brighter and ‘beautifuller’! That’s not a word but I’m making it up!

What can audiences expect from Hairspray? If anyone is not familiar with the show, how would you describe it in three words?

Bigger, brighter and ‘beautifuller’! I love it!
Audiences can expect energy, a lot of laughs, some fantastic songs played by a phenomenal band, while at the same time listening to the message which I think is so current. I know, I am sounding like I am a 1960s hippy , but I just wish everyone would just spread the love and get on with one another, put your differences aside, ‘cause there will always be difference of opinions, that’s what makes us individuals… and I think that’s what this show embodies no matter what race, size, opinions, in the end it’s all about coming together and showing a united front. Hopefully people will come out of the show thinking, “OK, that’s given me food for thought” at the same time as a great nights entertainment.

What’s your favourite moment or song in the show and why?

I just love You Can’t Stop the Beat because it goes through so many different gear changes – In rehearsals its known as Beat 1 Beat 2 and Beat 3 and as I said, I like the way it just brings us all together, that’s the point where everybody is together and I think its brilliant!

What’s your all-time favourite musical?

Gosh…it’s all the ones I’ve been in! …… but aside from those I did enjoy Motown, The Bodyguard, Les Misérables, and I cried watching Memphis and I absolutely loved Jersey Boys! There were songs in there I knew and that I didn’t realise were originated by the Jersey Boys. I was singing the whole way through. …It’s very hard!

What inspired you to go into musical theatre? What was the first musical you saw?

I was born and raised in the church. There were a lot of times when we never had microphones, so we had to project, and so I grew up singing in a lot of big spaces, I think in some way, I’m drawn to them…. But it was Sharon Osbourne who told me that she was approached by the Producers of Chicago the Musical when I was on X Factor in 2005 ,to come for an audition, so that was how I landed my first role in musical theatre. It’s such a pleasure, I feel so lucky to be able to perform in all these beautiful theatres. The first musical I saw was Thriller Live, my friend and fellow X Factor team mate Maria, was in the show.

What do you consider your greatest achievement or highlight of your career away from the stage?

I will always say my greatest achievement in life are my children, they are a real blessing.
The highlight of my career would have to be recording my Debut Album Bring It Back, I’m very proud of the songs I wrote and I feel it shows all sides of my personality.

Can you tell us a bit about your experience on The X Factor? How did it prepare you for the industry?

I really enjoyed the show, there were a lot of rehearsals before each Saturday night live show, so you always had to be on your game, it was exciting as well as challenging at the same time, so it isn’t very different to the stage – the live shows were in front of a studio audience.

You demonstrated what many deemed as unwavering strength in the face of adversity; touring with Hairspray while battling cancer. How important is it to you to keep inspiring and educating others through raising awareness of this cause?

It is very important. If I hadn’t of spoken to somebody to feel the lump in the first place I could be in a completely different situation right now, so it shows that talking is key, and if it it makes just one person get checked out then I have succeeded.

Hairspray appears at the Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne from Monday 2nd to 7th July. Tickets, priced from £28, can be booked by calling the box office on 01323 412000 or online at eastbournetheatres.co.uk

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