NEWS: HAIRSPRAY THE MUSICAL UK TOUR ANNOUNCES KATIE BRACE'S RETURN & NEW 2027–2028 DATES
The Hairspray The Musical UK Tour has announced that Katie Brace will return as Tracy Turnblad, joining the previously confirmed Neil Hurst as Edna Turnblad, as further dates are revealed for the musical's major UK and Ireland tour in 2027 and 2028.
The much-loved musical will open at Manchester's Palace Theatre on 2 July 2027, before travelling to theatres across the UK and Ireland until April 2028. The newly announced dates include Sheffield, Nottingham, Southampton, Norwich, Swansea, Truro, Cheltenham and Wolverhampton.
The production will once again be directed by Paul Kerryson and Brenda Edwards, with choreography by Olivier Award winner Drew McOnie.
Featuring unforgettable songs including Good Morning Baltimore, Welcome to the 60s and You Can't Stop the Beat, Hairspray is set to bring its colourful characters, energetic choreography and uplifting story back to the stage.
Katie Brace Returns As Tracy Turnblad For Hairspray The Musical UK Tour
Katie Brace will reprise the role of Tracy Turnblad, having previously played the character in the musical's UK tours, including the 2024–2025 production.
Originally from Sunderland, Katie graduated from the London School of Musical Theatre and made her professional debut playing Tracy in the UK tour of Hairspray. She has since appeared as Madame de la Grande Bouche, also known as the Wardrobe, in the UK and Ireland tour of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, and as Jan in the West End production of Grease at the Dominion Theatre.
Katie also performed with the cast of Grease on the BBC's The National Lottery's Big Night at the Musicals, in front of an audience of more than 17,000 people.
Her return to Hairspray will see her once again take on the role of the determined and enthusiastic teenager whose dream of appearing on television leads her to challenge the attitudes of 1960s Baltimore.
Joining Katie is Neil Hurst, who will also return to the role of Tracy's mother, Edna Turnblad.
Neil has an extensive career in theatre, television and comedy, with stage credits including The Full Monty, Fat Friends The Musical, Evita, The Jungle Book and Early Doors Live. He is also an established pantomime performer and has appeared in television programmes including Coronation Street, Casualty, All Creatures Great and Small and Michael McIntyre's Big Show.
With both Katie and Neil returning to their roles, audiences will have another opportunity to see the performers bring the Turnblad family to life.
Further casting is expected to be announced at a later date.
What Is Hairspray The Musical About?
Set in Baltimore during the 1960s, Hairspray The Musical tells the story of Tracy Turnblad, a teenager with big hair, an even bigger heart and a dream of dancing on The Corny Collins Show.
When Tracy gets the opportunity to appear on her favourite television programme, she quickly becomes a local celebrity. However, she soon discovers that there is more to life than fame and dancing, and uses her newfound popularity to challenge racial segregation and fight for equality.
Along the way, Tracy hopes to win the heart of teenage heartthrob Link Larkin, while her family and friends find themselves caught up in her determination to make a difference.
The musical combines comedy, romance and energetic dance numbers with an important message about acceptance, tolerance and standing up for what is right.
Featuring a score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, the show includes some of musical theatre's most recognisable songs, including Good Morning Baltimore, Welcome to the 60s and You Can't Stop the Beat.
The Creative Team Behind Hairspray The Musical UK Tour
The 2027–2028 production will see Paul Kerryson and Brenda Edwards return as co-directors, following their involvement in the previous UK tour.
Paul Kerryson has directed numerous productions, including Chicago, Sweeney Todd, West Side Story, 42nd Street, The King and I and The Light in the Piazza. He is currently Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Buxton Opera House, having previously served as Artistic Director of Curve Theatre in Leicester.
Brenda Edwards is well known for her television appearances, including ITV's Loose Women, but she also has an extensive musical theatre career. Her previous stage credits include Chicago, We Will Rock You, Carousel and Hairspray, in which she played Motormouth Maybelle.
The production will feature choreography by Drew McOnie, who won the Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreography for In the Heights. His previous work also includes Jesus Christ Superstar, Strictly Ballroom, Bugsy Malone and Carousel.
Completing the creative team are set and costume designer Takis, lighting designer Philip Gladwell, sound designer Ben Harrison, musical supervisor and arranger Ben Atkinson, and musical director Richard Atkinson.
Casting is by Grindrod Burton, with Juliet Gough as associate director, Shaquille Brush as associate choreographer, and Craig Forrest-Thomas responsible for wigs, hair and make-up design.
The musical features music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, and a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan.
The tour is produced by Mark Goucher, Matthew Gale and Laurence Myers.
Hairspray The Musical UK Tour Dates & Venues 2027–2028
The Hairspray The Musical UK Tour will begin at Manchester's Palace Theatre on 2 July 2027, with performances running until 19 July, before heading to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Dublin, Belfast and venues across the UK.
Eight additional engagements have now been announced for early 2028, extending the tour through to April.
Hairspray UK Tour Dates 2027
Venue | Dates |
Palace Theatre, Manchester | 2–19 July 2027 |
King's Theatre, Glasgow | 20–25 July 2027 |
Edinburgh Playhouse | 27 July – 1 August 2027 |
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff | 3–7 August 2027 |
Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin | 9–14 August 2027 |
Grand Opera House, Belfast | 16–21 August 2027 |
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend | 24–29 August 2027 |
New Wimbledon Theatre | 31 August – 4 September 2027 |
Liverpool Empire | 13–18 September 2027 |
Alhambra Theatre, Bradford | 20–25 September 2027 |
Sunderland Empire | 27 September – 2 October 2027 |
Milton Keynes Theatre | 4–9 October 2027 |
Malvern Theatres | 11–16 October 2027 |
Birmingham Hippodrome | 25–30 October 2027 |
Grand Opera House, York | 1–6 November 2027 |
Curve, Leicester | 8–13 November 2027 |
Theatre Royal, Brighton | 15–20 November 2027 |
Woking Theatre | 22–27 November 2027 |
Hairspray UK Tour Dates 2028
Venue | Dates |
Bristol Hippodrome | 10–15 January 2028 |
Theatre Royal, Norwich | 17–22 January 2028 |
Swansea Arena | 25–29 January 2028 |
Theatre Royal, Nottingham | 31 January – 5 February 2028 |
Mayflower Theatre, Southampton | 14–19 February 2028 |
Hall for Cornwall, Truro | 28 February – 4 March 2028 |
Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham | 6–11 March 2028 |
Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield | 13–18 March 2028 |
Wolverhampton Grand Theatre | 27 March – 1 April 2028 |
For tickets, performance times and further information, visit the official Hairspray The Musical UK Tour website.
Tour dates, casting and performance information are subject to change.
The History Of Hairspray The Musical
Hairspray began as a 1988 film written and directed by John Waters, starring Ricki Lake as Tracy Turnblad and Divine as Edna Turnblad. The story was later adapted into a stage musical, which opened on Broadway in 2002 and went on to win eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
The musical made its West End debut at London's Shaftesbury Theatre in 2007, winning four Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical. Its success also led to the 2007 film adaptation of the stage musical, starring John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, James Marsden, Queen Latifah and Nikki Blonsky.
Since its Broadway premiere in 2002, Hairspray has become one of musical theatre's most recognisable titles, with productions staged around the world, including South Africa, Japan, South Korea, China and the United Arab Emirates.
Hairspray The Musical Returns To UK Theatres In 2027
The announcement of Katie Brace and Neil Hurst's return, alongside eight additional tour dates, is welcome news for fans of Hairspray The Musical.
With the familiar pairing of Tracy and Edna Turnblad, the return of co-directors Paul Kerryson and Brenda Edwards, and choreography by Drew McOnie, the new tour brings together performers and creatives who already have experience with the production.
The musical's combination of comedy, energetic dance routines and memorable songs has made it a popular choice with theatre audiences, while its story of friendship, equality and acceptance remains just as relevant today.
Hairspray The Musical opens at Manchester's Palace Theatre on 2 July 2027,
before touring the UK and Ireland until 1 April 2028.
Further casting announcements are expected in the coming months.
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