Great to see its touring but SO many touring shows say 'direct from west end' when the west end production is still playing so I dont think that means anything.
And ive watched the MB footage on youtube and I dont quite see what everyone is getting so excited about, I wouldnt say what MB says is a clear sign that he is returning. Just that its a never say never situation. It would be great if he did do the tour though! Wouldnt surprise me if they had different Ednas for different venues either.
It's still booking quite well in London...however now Ball has left as massive pull to the show was gone, which is a shame as the show has lost no energy.
I doubt they will build another show and close the London show in March 2010. Its been rumoured Stage Ent will transer Sister Act out of the big Palladium - so it could go to the Shaftesbury.
It makes perfect sense to tour this show and keep the London one running.
The cost to mere mortals of getting to London, given the economic circumstances, is practically prohibitive; travel, tickets, food, drink, programme etc... Taking it to the masses in their own locale will reduce this cost considerably.
As for Biggins playing Edna dear God, no! There is no additional entertainment value to him being in a dress, he practically lives in them!! The cleverness of the casting of this role is a "straight" man in frock playing a believable woman. Biggins association with panto dames detracts considerably from this.
Ball may come back and open the tour for a limited period and then on-going casting of "names" might be introduced!!
I for one would be delighted to see this touring, not because I think it's a great show but for the work opportunities it will afford cast, crew and production people.
Hairspray extended to October only a couple of weeks ago, which I thought was a bit ambitious. They've been doing a lot of TV promotion since Conley went in which will give them a bit of a boost, but I reckon now Michael Ball's gone, the appeal has changed a little bit and it may do a bit better on tour.
I must say I doubt it will have 2 productions running. The set is easy enough that they will be able to tour like Fame/Footloose etc and return to the West End whenever they wish.
Big mistake by the producers to go on tour so early, Hairspray is too much of a big show to go out on tour so early, playing small houses around the country, to people who will not appreciate the show for its full merit.
Grrrrr i mentioned this show was touring weeks ago in a thread i started about the next big touring musical and nobody believed me......when will you all realize im right all the time.....about everything....ever!lol
Its coming to Manchester as well
And Phantom London, sometimes you really need to this before you speak lol, the houses Hairspray will play on Tour will all be bigger than its West End home.
And the show is not doing that amazing in London
Namo i love u but we get it already....you don't like Madonna
'direct from the West End' doesn't always mean the London production will close. it means it is the same as. They arnt anticipating a slow down in ticket sales at all - they just taken on a huge comic TV name for gods sake!
When we found out about this tour a month or so back we got told that the West End production would not be closing, however recently we were told that it would and the tour would take the sets. I will try and dig a bit deeper
Namo i love u but we get it already....you don't like Madonna
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