| Comedian, actor, writer, producer and director,
Mel Smith first shot to fame in Not the Nine O'Clock News,
but is probably best known for his comedy sketch series with
Griff Rhys Jones - Alas Smith and Jones (1984-8) Smith and
Jones in Small Doses (1989) Smith and Jones (1989 -98) and
The Smith and Jones Sketch Book (2006 - with whom he also
formed the highly successful production company Talkback
in 1981.
As a Director his work includes The Tall Guy, Bean - The
Ultimate Disaster Movie , High Heels & Low Lifes and
the green bowls comedy Blackball.
His many acting credits include Muck and Brass (ITV 1982), Sir Toby Belch in
Twelfth Night (1996) and playing Winston Churchill in Allegiance (2005), and
he is also the voice of Father Christmas in Raymond Brigg's classic animated
tale of the same name . In 1987 he had a number 5 hit in the UK singles chart
with Kim Wilde, in aid of Comic Relief.
Michael Ball will star as ‘Edna Turnblad', leading the cast of the smash hit
multi-award winning musical “HAIRSPRAY”, which will open at the Shaftesbury Theatre
on Tuesday 30 October, following previews from 11 October. The show will introduce
22 year-old complete unknown Leanne Jones, making her first professional appearance,
playing ‘Tracy Turnblad'.
Michael Ball has had an award-winning career both in the West End and on Broadway.
A best selling recording artist, he has starred in musicals on both sides of
the Atlantic, including “The Phantom Of The Opera”, “Les Misérables”, “Aspects
Of Love”, “Passion”, “The Woman In White” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”. He has
had several of his own television shows including his “Michael Ball Christmas
Special” and “An Evening With Michael Ball”. His numerous solo albums have
all been best-sellers.
Set in 1960's Baltimore, the show is based on John Waters' 1988 movie of the
same name. With a book by Marc O'Donnell, the story follows the fortunes of "pleasantly
plump" Baltimore teenager Tracy Turnblad, who yearns to perform in the Corny
Collins Dance Show.
Transformed overnight from outsider to teen celebrity, Tracy's next mission is
to vanquish the program's reigning princess, win the heart of heartthrob Link
Larkin, and integrate a television show.
The Broadway hit, directed by Jack O'Brien and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell,
premiered at New York's Neil Simon Theatre in 2002.
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HERE to book Hairspray Theatre Tickets
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