'Hairspray' Gets A New Do — Page 2

Its on my dream list to see him do it here!

*i'm sure Ken Morley would have a better chance of stocking shelves in BettaBuys again than every making it to a West End stage.

Peter Kay would be a travesty in a role like this. Quite possible though.

Say it loud Mama, "We want Des! We want Des!"

Second choice: Biggins.

Outside chance for the surrealist fans: Michael Crawford!

Considering how he took over The Producers and made it 'The Peter Kay Show' I hope it isnt him

He also played Cardiff with it too.
He wasn't able do do any other dates.

Will be very sad to see Michael Ball leave the Shaftesbury and this role. It's difficult to imagine anyone else doing it at the moment. It will be intesting to see who they go for.

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Certainly would be a publicist's dream to have the "King of the Jungle" but I feel he is too panto dame material and yes I am sure he could tone it down but could HE make Edna believable?

I'm not so sure. Michael was inspired casting as you hadn't seen Ball play a female role before and that was part of the intrigue.

Since Kay's comic creation of Geraldine, I got the feeling it was one big audition and promotion for the part of Edna but does he want the role?

He played the same cross dressing part as Peter Kay did in 'The Producers'.
Russ Abbott is a strong enough actor to carry the part of Edna and keep her believable, something which Mr Kay wouldn't be able to carry off in my mind.

He's along tme out of the West End. He did a remarkable job on 'Little Me' back in 1984- 25 years ago.
Of course he got rave reviews for 'Oliver!' at the London Palladium in 1987.
He did Alfred Dolittle for Cameron in 'My Fair Lady' on its recent national tour.
He hasn't had a big TV outing for many a year so that may effect his crowd pulling a bit.
3 years before 'Oliver Opened at the Palladium he did a 3 wek run of his Russ Abbott Madhouse there and it sold out 2 shows a day for the entire run before it even opened.
I think he would be a good Edna, not the best choice but a good one.

I'd say Biggins was the most obvious choice...he has the name, like-ability and the general ability to pull it off...

HOWEVER, I'd rather see someone who I had never thought about in the role, chosen for Edna. I like being pleasantly surprised.

Harold Bishop? haha..

Ah finally a face to one of the many names mentioned. How I love my Hey Mr Producer video!! And yes, I said video.

Is there anyone else on here who have never heard of most the people suggested? Anybody? Nobody? In that case I shall just go off in my own little corner, in my own little chair and start learning my middle aged English male chubby actors/comedians/entertainers so I can offer an opinion on the matter.

Les Dawson........ if he was alive but he's not!

Really good posts in this thread :) lol

Saw Ken Morley in Chitty in Bradford - he did a good job. He is of course, not good enough to star in a leading show such as Hairspray, (if the posts were serious)!

Secondly, worked on The Producers in Manchester, Peter Kay was *adored* by the shows producers, the company, ushers, everybody.
It was a good enough cast they had, and Cory English did a good job as Max.

Thirdly, excellent shout for whoever suggested Russ Abbott as Edna. I can't see them going for it though - and it doesn't necessarily have to be a fat man. People suggesting Biggins - yes, it's quite obvious - but they won't go for him. I'm pretty sure it would put some theatre-goers off seeing it, despite his general public popularity.

I second Russ Abbott as the suggestion - he'd do a good enough job.