The West End cast of Hairspray, opening at the London Coliseum in 2021, are to perform live this weekend on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent.

The BGT performance, taking place on Saturday 27th September from 8pm, will give audiences a first look at the new West End revival, which features Michael Ball reprising his Olivier Award-winning turn as Edna Turnblad from the original London production.

Ball is joined in the principal cast by newcomers Lizzie Bea and Jonny Amies as Tracy Turnblad and Link Larkin, Paul Merton in his musical theatre debut as Wilbur Turnblad, Rita Simons (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie) as Velma Von Tussle and Marisha Wallace (Waitress, Dreamgirls) as Motormouth Maybelle.

Based on the 1988 film of the same name, Hairspray takes place in 1960s Baltimore. It follows teenager Tracy Turnblad, who dreams of becoming a dancer on The Corny Collins Show. The musical premiered on Broadway in 2002, where it went on to win eight Tony Awards including Best Musical. Hairspray then transferred to the West End in 2007, where it was nominated for a record-breaking eleven Olivier Awards, winning four including Best New Musical. The musical has since been performed globally and has been adapted for the screen multiple times. A film version of the musical starring John Travolta was released in 2007, whilst NBC performed the musical live on TV in 2016. The new London revival reunites the original Broadway creative team.

Hairspray features music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman, and a script by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan. The Coliseum production is directed by Jack O’Brien and features choreography by Jerry Mitchell. Set design is by David Rockwell, costume design is by William Ivey Long, lighting design is by Kenneth Posner, sound design is by Steve C Kennedy, and casting is by Jill Green CDG.

Originally meant to play the West End in 2020, Hairspray now opens at the London Coliseum for a limited season from 22nd April 2021 for a nineteen-week run. Tickets are on sale now.