NEWSROUND: Ball Frocks Up For Hairspray One More Time

Hairspray continues its ongoing mission to take over the UK with the announcement of its forthcoming UK tour. The show will take to the UK regions from 30th March 2010, starting out at Cardiff Millennium Centre before spreading its message of unity through Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool - to name but a few of the scheduled dates.

Excitingly for those who weren't able to make it down to the Shaftesbury Theatre, Michael Ball has also been announced as appearing for many of the dates - after all, he did seem genuinely very sad to leave the production, so it's no surprise he's resuming his frock-wearing duties, if only for a bit. He is currently announced as appearing in Glasgow, Southampton, Manchester and as opening the show in Cardiff.

In an interesting turn-up for the books, Michael has also been appointed associate producer for Stage Entertainment, the show's UK Production Company. This means he will be able to work on developing new work and roles with the company, including ones specifically angled at him.

He said: "Hairspray is truly one of the greatest experiences of my career and the chance to have just a few more nights in those frocks was an opportunity I couldn't miss... to now be working as an associate producer with Stage Entertainment developing new shows, new roles and new opportunities in the future is an honour, and something I can't wait to get stuck into."

Meanwhile, back in the London production, standby Adam Price will play Wilbur Turnblad from tonight until 29th August as Nigel Planer has gone away. At Jersey Boys, understudy Jye Frasca is taking to the stage as Frankie Valli as Scott Monello is away. From what we hear, performers are dropping like flies all over the West End at present, as swine flu takes hold of even the most hardened.

The Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn is to showcase the work of three leading black writers in its Not Black And White season. The season, which begins on 8th October and lasts until 11th December, starts with Roy Williams' Category B. This will be followed shortly by Kwame Kwei-Armah's Seize The Day and Bola Agbaje's Detaining Justice. Tricycle artistic director Nicholas Kent explained: "As we approach the end of the first decade of the 21st century and, across London, black and Asian children outnumber white British children by about six to four. I thought it important and challenging to look at the society in which we live from the perspective of three leading black writers."

Gary Wilmot, currently starring as Billy Flynn in the UK tour of Chicago, has extended his run in the show from 23rd November until 19th December. A veteran of many a national tour, Wilmot has been called "engaging and magnetic" by critics. In other Chicago news, Kimberley Stewart (yes, she of the famous father and little discernable talent) says she would be interested in taking a role in the show. Wouldn't we all? The socialite, who says she is currently auditioning for a "mystery" West End production, revealed that Roxie Hart would be her ideal role.

In rather gayer news, adults-only panto Sinderfella has been announced as taking over the Leicester Square Theatre's basement from 3rd December until 30th. Full of - you guessed it - cross-dressing, comedic incidents and audience participation, this production reportedly 'stars' "Cookie Monster" Kat, of Big Brother fame (no, me either) as Fairy Gone Wong and drag queen Bette Rinse as Cinderella, of sorts.

Rik Mayall has pulled out of the Theatre Royal Bath's production of Balmoral at short notice - the production is due to open tonight, prior to a regional tour. A statement from the theatre said Mayall had been taken ill during rehearsals and that he had "been advised by his doctor to withdraw from the play and has regretfully agreed."

Joseph Crilly's new play Kitty & Damnation opens tonight for a month's run at the Lion and Unicorn theatre in Kentish Town. The drama is set in 1829 Ireland and follows a young country girl who follows a famous actor - and her destiny - to London.

Want more news? Keep an eye on the BWW:UK news page, where you can read our interview with The Mountaintop author Katori Hall, enjoy our review of Hello Dolly and find out what our Edinburgh reviewer thought of Lloyd Langford's performance.

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