Producers Stage Entertainment announced last week that due to ongoing health problems Marcus Collins has been withdrawn from the UK tour of Hairspray. Collins, who played the role of Seaweed J Stubbs from Manchester in February through to Nottingham in July is currently replaced by Fela Lufadeju, an understudy. The Producers said "we are sorry that Marcus won't be able to carry on with Hairspray and thank him for his amazing performance and the sterling work he's done for this production. Everyone at Stage Entertainment and the touring company will miss him and wishes him the very best for the future."
Adrian as Seaweed in the London production at the Shaftesbury Theatre
For the final venues in Bristol, Leeds, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Norwich the role of Seaweed will be played by Adrian Hansel who has been rehearsing with the show in Dublin. Hansel who is no stranger to the role was in the original London cast playing Seaweed from the show's opening in October 2007 until it's closure at the Shaftesbury Theatre in March 2010. Previous credits also include 'Hud' in Hair (Pleasance Theatre, London), 'Tyrone Jackson' in Fame (Edinburgh Playhouse and Aldwych Theatre, London) and 'Rusty' in Starlight Express (Apollo Victoria Theatre, London) to name a few. Adrian has also appeared as a soloist on multiple tours with Michael Ball.
He said: "I actually thought I'd never wear my Seaweed costume again once I'd left the Shaftesbury stage door on my last show! Hairspray was a huge part of my life and I absolutely loved it and I was happy to leave it at that... so when I got asked to replace Marcus Collins and finish the 2013 tour I wasn't all together sure that I really wanted to! I saw the show and after seeing the amazing cast and hearing all the songs again, I thought why not!"
Adrian played alongside three different Motormouth Maybelle's - Johnnie Fiori, Sharon D. Clarke and Sandra Marvin whilst in the London production and is delighted to be reunited with Marvin on the tour. "I'm really excited to be working with my best friend Sandra Marvin again, she's incredible. The tour will also mean I'm reunited with Wendy Somerville who was in the original London cast. It will be great to work with some fantastic new people too!"
Adrian played alongside three different Motormouth Maybelle's - Johnnie Fiori, Sharon D. Clarke and Sandra Marvin whilst in the London production and is delighted to be reunited with Marvin on the tour. "I'm really excited to be working with my best friend Sandra Marvin again, she's incredible. The tour will also mean I'm reunited with Wendy Somerville who was in the original London cast. It will be great to work with some fantastic new people too!"
Other casting news includes CHARLES RUHRMUND who replaces Josh Piterman as Corny Collins for the final venues. Charles was the understudy for Corny on the previous UK tour of Hairspray. Other credits include We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre, Sonny in Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre and he has recently filmed for the new Muppets movie due for release in early 2014.
The rest of the cast remain unchanged with Mark Benton leading as Edna Turnblad, Freya Sutton as Tracy, Paul Rider as Wilbur, Luke Striffler as Link, Lauren Hood as Penny, Lucy Benjamin as Velma Von Tussle, Gemma Sutton as Amber and Gabrielle Brooks as Little Inez.
The rest of the cast remain unchanged with Mark Benton leading as Edna Turnblad, Freya Sutton as Tracy, Paul Rider as Wilbur, Luke Striffler as Link, Lauren Hood as Penny, Lucy Benjamin as Velma Von Tussle, Gemma Sutton as Amber and Gabrielle Brooks as Little Inez.
Link Larkin - Luke Striffler is suitably impressed with Baltimore's latest recruit! It should leave you very excited by this latest casting.
@adrianhansel was RUNNING AND TELLING THAT today! #dayum
— Luke Striffler (@striff1207) August 1, 2013
Don't delay in booking to see Adrian back in the role of Seaweed in this limited run until September.
For information and booking for the remaining tour venues visit hairspraythetour.com.
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