News

Michael Ball: Big, Blonde and Beautiful till April 2009

Posted by Jack on Thursday 23rd October 2008 at 11:24AM

Good news for Hairspray fans: producers announced this week that Michael Ball has renewed his contract and is to remain in the role of Edna Turnblad until 25th April 2009.

A musical theatre legend, Ball won the Best Actor title at the 2008 Olivier awards for his hilarious portrayal of busty Edna which was surprisingly his first Olivier in a long and varied career. Beginning in rep at Basingstoke, Ball got his big breaks in Pirates of Penzance at the Manchester Opera House in 1984 and, more importantly, as Marius in the original cast of Les Misérables in 1985. As well as other theatre credits including The Woman in White, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Phantom of the Opera, Passion and the theatre phenomenon Aspects of Love which spawned a hit single for Ball, Love Changes Everything. In addition to his theatre work, Michael has also enjoyed an extensive and successful recording career with all of his albums achieving gold status. A charismatic and versatile celebrity, he is also a regular on TV and radio, presenting the popular Michael Ball’s Sunday Brunch on BBC Radio 2.

He has been playing Edna Turnblad in Hairspray since performances began at the Shaftesbury in October 2007 and praise for his hilarious and often touching performance has been unanimous. Hairspray at the Shaftesbury Theatre is now booking until 24 October 2009 and you can buy your tickets here.