The cast of Hairspray continues to rehearse in anticipation of the show’s West End opening. With little time left, the director and choreographer worry about the stamina needed to get through the show. While Mel Smith, playing Wilbur Turblad, comments that the dances look fantastic, Jerry Mitchell, the choreographer, and Jack O’Brien, the director, are not satisfied and worried that the cast is still getting winded in such high-energy numbers as “You Can’t Stop the Beat.” Next time, take a peak backstage and watch the cast as they continue to get ready for their first preview and start technical rehearsals.

Shereen Hibbert, head of costumes for the West End production of Hairspray, shows off the costumes. With 250 to 300 costumes, and up to 6 pairs of shoes for each girl, Shereen explains the work that goes into each costume so that the actors can move as easily as possible on stage; she also attempts to show, without laughing, Michael Ball’s womanly fat suit for the character of Edna Turnblad. She explains how space is the biggest issue for costuming, since there is little room to change in the wings and the actors’ have such quick costume changes, while wigs are fighting for space for changes too. Next time, we continue with the rehearsal process: with all of the energetic dancing in the show, will the cast be ready?

An introduction to the rehearsal process. The cast, including Leanne Jones, Ben James-Ellis, Michael Ball and Tracie Bennett comment on the length, intensity, and great fun of rehearsals. Leanne and Ben try to connect comic-character Aquaman to Link, while Leanne recounts her excitement at seeing her name advertised with the show and teases Ben for his “need” to go the gym. Meanwhile, Tracie rehearses “Miss Baltimore Crabs”. They all eagerly anticipate the return of their director, Jack O’Brien, so that they can really perfect their roles. Next week, the countdown begins- with the intense dancing in the show, will the cast be ready?

Richard Mawbey, wig master for West End’s Hairspray, gives an introduction to the wigs used in the hair-focused show. Starting with a cast of the actor’s head, the mold is placed on a block so that the hand-made wigs fit the actors exactly. As the actors in Hairspray can wear up to seven or eight wigs, they are all light-weight and breathable; Richard shows off the color he used to create a wig for Michael Ball’s Edna for the finale in “You Can’t Stop the Beat. Despite his aversion to hairspray, he explains how because of the frenetic dancingand high hair-dos, he used the show’s namesake to hold the style of the wigs through the show. Next time, we’ll take you through the rehearsal process!

An introduction to the cast of the West End’s upcoming production of Hairspray. In anticipation of the opening, the cast express their excitement for performing the show in front of an audience. Ben James Ellis, playing teen crooner Link Larkin works on his American accent with choreographer Jerry Mitchell. Michael Ball reflects on the stamina needed to make it through eight shows a week and explains how his character Edna Turnblad is not just a drag act, but a real woman. Tracie Bennett explains her character Velma Von Tussle, Tracy’s nemesis, mother and former beauty queen is who a firm believer in segregation. Next time, we’ll meet Richard Mawbey, wig master and creater of the teased and sprayed hair-do’s seen on stage in Hairspray.

An introduction to the creative team. In anticipation of the West End opening, they talk about their creative inspiration for Hairspray.