Head start for 'Hairspray' in West End awards
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Hairspray, the larger-than-life rock 'n' roll Cinderella-style musical set in 1962 Baltimore, has won a record number of nominations for the prestigious Laurence Olivier Awards.
The tale of Tracy Turnblad, an overweight teenager who defies prejudice by proving she is talented enough to dance on the Corny Collins TV show, combines joyous spectacle with a storyline about racial segregation.
Transported from Broadway to the West End, and based on the film of the same name by John Waters, Hairspray has been nominated in 11 categories, including best new musical, at the 32nd Olivier Awards, which recognise excellence on the London stage.
The newcomer Leanne Jones, who stars as the ebullient Turnblad, is up for best actress in a musical, while Michael Ball, who won critical acclaim for his performance in the pantomime dame role as Tracy's mum Edna, is in the running for best actor in a musical.
Jones said: "I think its success is down to its heart-warming story and the fact that it's so joyful and colourful and exciting. Everybody can relate to the story of being an outsider and the fact that the outsider triumphs. It's accessible to all ages."
The awards manager, Michael Cregan, said: "Hairspray has come off the back of film and Broadway success. It's the highest number of nominations ever, which speaks for itself that Hairspray has just overwhelmed people."
The popularity of musicals – largely due to reality TV shows such as the BBC's How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? and Any Dream Will Do and ITV's Grease Is The Word – helped to boost theatre attendances in London by 10 per cent to 13.63 million in 2007, and the genre has received the majority of nominations for the Oliviers. Terri Paddock, the editorial director of WhatsonStage.com, said it was surprising that neither Joseph nor its star Lee Mead, who won Any Dream Will Do, feature in the Olivier nominations. "Hairspray's success is incredibly well deserved and I think it will do very well on the awards night," she said. "It's interesting in that the West End has had success in 2007 with Joseph and Grease, but neither feature."
Other contenders for best new musical are Parade, The Drowsy Chaperone and The Lord of the Rings. War Horse, Michael Morpurgo's family drama about a boy's relationship with his horse which is sent into combat in the First World War has been nominated in six categories, including best new play.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments