Hairspray -Shaftesbury Theatre 2009 -Welcome Brian Conley!

#1

Hairspray -Shaftesbury Theatre 2009 -Welcome Brian Conley!

Posted: 7/24/09 at 4:04am

As Micheal Ball prepares to dump the size 16 frock and hang up his falsies after 18 months, Brian Conley stands in the wings with wig in hand!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1201794/I-look-like-mum-Brian-Conley-slips-frock-size-10-stilettos-Hairspray.html

Updated On: 7/26/09 at 04:04 AM

#2

re: Hairspray -Shaftesbury Theatre 2009

Posted: 7/24/09 at 9:37am

I shall be there tomorrow :)

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aka Ria

#3

re: Hairspray -Shaftesbury Theatre 2009

Posted: 7/24/09 at 9:38am

Ask them if they're gonna do a CAST RECORDING there's a love!

#4

re: Hairspray -Shaftesbury Theatre 2009

Posted: 7/24/09 at 11:19am

Is this Michael's last show?

#5

re: Hairspray -Shaftesbury Theatre 2009

Posted: 7/24/09 at 11:35am

3 left after all this time!

#6

re: Hairspray -Shaftesbury Theatre 2009

Posted: 7/24/09 at 11:35am

I'm there tonight actually! On a whim =)

#7

re: Hairspray -Shaftesbury Theatre 2009

Posted: 7/24/09 at 11:37am

A friend of mine saw it last night and said it is absolutely buzzing - the whole company are in full party mode.

#8

re: Hairspray -Shaftesbury Theatre 2009

Posted: 7/24/09 at 11:38am

I'm about to join some friends in the overnight day seats queue :)

Yep, I'm officially an obsessed Micharl Ball fangirl!

#9

re: Hairspray -Shaftesbury Theatre 2009

Posted: 7/24/09 at 12:21pm

So sad to see Michael go (along with Leanne and Ben), but considering this is the longest he's ever done a stage role, he's probably had the most fabulous time these past two years.

Hope the new cast will carry the spark on!

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Everything in life...is only for now.

#10

re: Hairspray -Shaftesbury Theatre 2009

Posted: 7/24/09 at 12:23pm

Very few performers these day stay with a show so long.
Its great success is down to him and a wonderful company.
Lets hope it sits at the top of Shaftesbury Avenue for a few more years to come.

#11

re: Hairspray -Shaftesbury Theatre 2009

Posted: 7/24/09 at 1:46pm

"Ask them if they're gonna do a CAST RECORDING there's a love!"

Ahhh I fear it's a little late for that now lol!! To put together such a great cast, and create this smash hit award winning show. Then not let there be a lasting record, other than YCSTB on Michael's last album that is, is such a shame.

boyfromoz2 Good luck with the overnight queue...hope the weather is better there, than it it is tonight, it's throwing it down here.

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aka Ria

Updated On: 7/24/09 at 01:46 PM

#12

re: Hairspray -Shaftesbury Theatre 2009

Posted: 7/24/09 at 1:55pm

I can not stand Michael Ball, and have been putting off a return to Hairspray until his departure... bout bloody time too!

#13

re: Hairspray -Shaftesbury Theatre 2009

Posted: 7/24/09 at 2:06pm

Devil child!

#14

re: Hairspray -Shaftesbury Theatre 2009

Posted: 7/24/09 at 2:10pm

i just don't understand...why is the mean person saying such evil things..! *shields eyes*

#15

re: Hairspray -Shaftesbury Theatre 2009

Posted: 7/24/09 at 2:11pm

He is mainstream, predictable, quite frankly, dull and there are far better actors in London!

It's because of him the general public have the negative image of musical theatre they maintain, because they think everything is gonna be cheesy and hammed up... like him!

#16

re: Hairspray -Shaftesbury Theatre 2009

Posted: 7/24/09 at 2:14pm

Im really quite shocked, with all you outspoken and bizarre people on her, some with VERY unique taste and personalities, yet you ALL bow down to this boring, average actor!

#17

re: Hairspray -Shaftesbury Theatre 2009

Posted: 7/24/09 at 2:19pm

I will kind of agree with Con. I think Michael Ball is brilliant in Hairspray, I really do. BUT overall I find him incredably cheesy as a performer and not the best actor in the world. With Edna I would say he has found his ideal role. I would never choose to see him in a show because he is in it, in fact he would put me off. and i would never buy a cd.

#18

re: Hairspray -Shaftesbury Theatre 2009

Posted: 7/24/09 at 2:28pm

I've never liked him in anything, anything!
BUT i think he is spectacular in 'Hairspray'!
Lets see how he follows this one

#19

re: Hairspray -Shaftesbury Theatre 2009

Posted: 7/24/09 at 5:56pm

Each to their own I guess.

I'll be very interested to see what role is next and I'm sure whatever the role is there will be those who shriek ohh!! not him he'll be rubbish at that. Time will tell if that's the case, or if, as with Edna, he proves them wrong.

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aka Ria

Updated On: 7/25/09 at 05:56 PM

#20

re: Hairspray -Shaftesbury Theatre 2009

Posted: 7/24/09 at 6:28pm

I saw the overnight queue Oz, hope you managed to get tickets! The show was great tonight, with a very loud audience tonight =) I'm sure tomorrow will be emotional for the cast.

#21

re: Hairspray -Shaftesbury Theatre 2009

Posted: 7/26/09 at 2:11pm

Brian Conley is doing a interview with Steve Allen on LBC Radio at 9pm tonight.

LBC can be found on 97.3FM, DAB radio, Internet, Sky channel 0124.

#22

re: Hairspray -Shaftesbury Theatre 2009

Posted: 7/26/09 at 3:13pm

Great show last night, absolute mayhem at the stage door afterwards. Walked past the day seats queue the day before in a torrential downpour, kudos to you and your friends Oz, and all those who stuck it out.

MB gave a lovely thank you speech from the first floor window above the stage door, then indulged in a bit of a sing-a-long with the crowd (just uploading a bit of footage of it to youtube). He gave very strong hints he'll return to the role of Edna - if he does go into a touring version I'm sure it'll be bonza.

Be interesting to see how Brian Conley fares with audiences / ticket sales - really well I hope.

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Seen some shows in my time....

#23

re: Hairspray -Shaftesbury Theatre 2009

Posted: 7/26/09 at 3:25pm

Is it going on tour

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''With the number of people I ignore, I'm lucky I work at all in this town'' - Helena Bonham Carter

#24

re: Hairspray -Shaftesbury Theatre 2009

Posted: 7/26/09 at 3:26pm

This was outside the Shaftesbury stage door yesterday. From the Hairspray Facebook page:

#25

re: Hairspray -Shaftesbury Theatre 2009

Posted: 7/26/09 at 5:20pm

Great piece here with him from the Sunday Express.
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/116556/Brian-takes-on-his-biggest-ever-part/

Brian Conley has an absolutely huge TV and theatre fan base. It will do pretty well with him but also don't forget he's only doing it until the New Year anyways.
He will be superb as Edna but you just have to forget how great Michael was to give Brian a chance.

Updated On: 7/26/09 at 05:20 PM