INTERVIEW with Sandra Marvin - March 2014

Sandra Marvin's theatre credits not only include her critically acclaimed performances of Miss Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray in the West End and Tour but she recently appeared as Matron Mama Morton in Paul Kerryson's Chicago at the Leicester Curve. Amongst other theatre credits that include Porgy and Bess, Ragtime, A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Lion King at Disneyland Paris, Sandra can also be heard on the Oscar-winning soundtrack of the recent blockbuster film Gravity. If that wasn't enough, Sandra is now headlining her own cabaret show... 

You're about to do your first solo cabaret after quite while in some incredible productions. Lets start with last year - the majority of which was spent on tour with Hairspray. You're no stranger to Motormouth Maybelle having played the role in two UK tours and in the West End, how do you look back on your time with the show?

I have the fondest of memories of my time in Hairspray! It really is a timeless, funny, witty amazing show with the best music and biggest heart! And the people! I've met the most fantastic people, & many of my best friends on this job. To this day we all still have reunions to share the Hairspray family love! So much love for past casts, crew and creatives. Also nothing but love for the role of Miss Motormouth Maybelle! I'll always be "Big, Blonde and Beautiful!" - 'lol' ... Also getting the chance to sing "I know Where I've Been", such an honour. Loved being blonde!

And most recently you took on the role of Mama Morton in Chicago at the Leicester Curve - I believe this was always a dream role of yours? How was that experience for you?

Yes, she was one of my dream roles. Years ago, the first theatrical demo I recorded was "When You're Good to Mama", so finally being able to play her was certainly a dream come true. Also working with Paul Kerryson, we were given the opportunity to revisit the original play of Chicago and rediscover who our characters were and play their different traits. It was all very exciting and the fresh new choreography by Drew McOnie just topped it off! And such an amazing cast!

Sandra as Mama Morton, Chicago at Leicester Curve.

I've never known a theatre audience erupt quite like at the end of your song in Hairspray - I Know Where I've Been. You've more than proved that you've got an incredible voice. Do you remember a time when perhaps you discovered singing and worked and worked at it, or have you always known that this voice was there inside?

Ah, Thank you Scott! All I know is that I've just always loved singing! Whether it was when I was a kid singing along with my dad's old records, to this present day. Whether I'm on stage or letting rip whilst washing up the dishes! Singing lifts my spirits, and I hope that I can share that with people when I sing. I still have singing lessons now with my teacher Tom Pearce. I think it's good to make sure you keep up a good technique, but other than that, it's all about singing from the heart. "I Know Where I've Been" is a beautiful, powerful song that means a lot to me.

Who are your musical inspirations? Was there anyone or anything that inspired you to follow this career?

Well I'm the only musical one in my family, though they certainly introduced to some incredible vocalists from a young age. My mum and dad adored Tina Turner and Dolly Parton. Both phenomenal artists. There was of course also Whitney, Aretha and Ella too. But it was my sister who introduced me to Barbra Streisand's first album and I was hooked from then. I still adore all of these artists now and I'll be paying homage to many of them on Sunday too.

Besides these roles, you've appeared as a guest singer for Michael Ball, you've done intimate West End cabarets as part of a line up - but now it's all about you! What can you tell us about your cabaret show at Lauderdale House?

My passion for music is so varied, so I'll be singing jazz, musical theatre, soul, rock, acid jazz...! Many of my favourite songs to share with you all. But mostly Sunday will be a fun, laid back, intimate celebration of music that inspires me and touches the soul.

Sandra as Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray, Shaftesbury Theatre.

For your upcoming concert, Sunday Sessions, you're re-united with your Hairspray-son Adrian Hansel, who played Seaweed, what does it mean to have him alongside you?

Adrian is actually my musical brother from another mother! We both have a love for very much the same type of music, though he's so much more current than I am. He often surprises me with a mix of "songs you don't know, but should know" playlist of the most amazing songs that become fast favourites. It's an absolute honour to have him with me, as not only has he one of the most stunning voices I've ever heard, he's also one of my dearest friends.

Is there anyone else we can expect to see as a guest?

I'm also excited and honoured to have Amy Diamond with me too who absolutely has the voice of an angel! My amazing MD Peter White, and Jonathan Cooper (the funkiest bass in town) and Dave Gonella (percussion).. All amazingly talented musicians so I'm excited to be working with again. We're gonna rock Lauderdale House!

Finally, what's next for Sandra? Anything you'd like to do?
I'm also singing Friday and Saturday 21st/ 22nd March at soul/jazz bar Hideaway, Streatham. Ooooooh and there is something that I'm excited about to be announced soon! 

You can book ticket's for Sandra's cabaret by clicking here or by calling 020 8348 8716. Sunday Sessions features Adrian Hansel and Amy Diamond at Lauderdale House on Sunday 23 March - 4:30pm. 

HAIRSPRAY (UK TOUR) Adrian Hansel replaces Marcus Collins - Cast Announcement

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!"

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. 

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. 

HAIRSPRAY (UK Tour) Review May 2013

Hairspray - the musical with big heart (and even bigger hair) returns to Birmingham as part of it's second national tour. Following teen culture and the race segregation of 1962 Baltimore, tubby teenager Tracy Turnblad takes it upon herself to make big change.

Despite all odds, when larger than life Tracy is picked to be the new dancer on The Corny Collins Show there's suddenly no stopping her from fighting for what's right. With the help of her friends, Tracy's determination brings everyone together in a fight against TV executives to integrate everybody of all colours and sizes. 

At only 22 and fresh from training Freya Sutton leads as Tracy. Appearing in most of the shows big dance numbers there's little time to rest once the curtain goes up yet energy is in an abundance throughout. An impressive professional debut from Sutton who manages to sing incredibly well too despite Tracy's constant excitable jumping and high energy routines. Also making his professional theatre debut is X Factor finalist Marcus Collins as Seaweed J Stubbs. Whoever said that reality show contestants do not belong in musical theatre are wrong here. This is no "stunt cast" - sure it looks great on the posters but on stage he more than lives up to (and exceeds) expectations. 

Whilst he may not posses similar vocal talents as London's original Michael Ball, Mark Benton as Tracy's mother Edna Turnblad is a delight. Hilarious in the role, the already humorous character is taken up to a different level, particularly when paired with Paul Rider as husband Wilbur. Their rendition of 'Timeless To Me' brought the house to concert-like applause. 

Owing to the indisposition of Lucy Benjamin, the role of Velma Von Tussle is played by Wendy Somerville - who is suitably mean and scary. Also standing in at this performance was Piers Bate, replacing Josh Piterman as TV show host Corny Collins. Bate proved to be at ease in the role and gave a smooth performance.  

What is great about Hairspray is not only does the show have a great message about acceptance and equal opportunities - the lead cast are given exactly that, equal time to shine. Lauren Hood impresses as Tracy's ditzy friend Penny Pingleton as does Gemma Sutton as Amber Von Tussle - both giving incredible vocal performances. Luke Striffler as heartthrob Link Larkin lives up to the Zac Efron image and surely melts hearts. Gabrielle Brooks shines as little Inez.  

There is one particular song which rises above and beyond all of the others, and the lucky person who gets to sing it is the powerhouse that is Sandra Marvin. I Know Where I've Been is the moment in which all of the comedy and dancing comes to halt and Hairspray's message is well and truly delivered. Maybelle is feisty, she talks in rhyme and wins the audience over with humour, warmth and exceptional  vocals. Marvin's performance alone is worth much of the ticket price. 

Hairspray is a joyous celebration of how far society has come. You leave feeling educated, enthralled and entertained. You certainly can't stop the beat long after you've left the theatre.

Tickets for Hairspray at the Birmingham Hippodrome are selling fast and you can book yours here. Playing until Saturday 1st June.

You can listen to audience reactions from Birmingham's press night on the podcast below!

You can also listen to the Hippodrome podcast which features interviews with the cast!

Cast List: Mark Benton, Lucy Benjamin, Marcus Collins, Freya Sutton, Luke Striffler, Sandra Marvin, Josh Piterman, Paul Rider, Gemma Sutton, Lauren Hood, Wendy Somerville, Daniel Stockton, Gabrielle Brooks, Amelia Adams-Pearce, Jocasta Almgill, Lori Barker, Piers Bate, Arun Blair-Mangat, Sophie Brown, Andrew Bryant, Georgia Carling, Rhiannon Chesterman, Francesca Hoffman, Samantha Hull, Claudia Kariuki, Lewis Kirk, Sam Lathwood, Fela Lufadeju, Simone Mistry Palmer, Nikki Pocklington, Nathaniel Morrison, David Ribi, Noel Samuels and Laura Thorogood.

HAIRSPRAY (UK Tour) Interviews with Mark Benton, Lucy Benjamin and Marcus Collins

It's 1962, the 50's are out and change is in the air in Baltimore! Hairspray, the show with big heart, big songs and big wigs is now into it's second national tour of the UK and Ireland. Part of an incredibly talented and energetic cast of over 30 - Waterloo Road's Mark Benton leads as the loveable Edna Turnblad, Eastenders' Lucy Benjamin is the scheming TV show producer Velma Von Tussle and X Factor finalist Marcus Collins is Seaweed J Stubbs.

MARK BENTON

Mark Benton as Edna Turnblad (Luke Striffler as Link Larkin)

Known to many for his roles in Early Doors, Northern Lights, Waterloo Road and in films such as The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus, screen favourite Mark Benton returns to the stage and for the first time in a musical. "I trained at RADA, primarily for stage and I absolutely loved my time there, I had a really mixed and interesting year group and I learnt a lot. I did a lot of theatre, plays, this is my first musical but I've done a lot of TV work now and I couldn't say which I preferred. Once I'd finished Waterloo Road I really wanted to get back in the theatre, but I know that once Hairspray's over I shall want to go and do some TV work again." 

So, what's it like rehearsing for something like Hairspray? "Rehearsing Hairspray was completely different to anything I'd ever done before. On TV you barely get a rehearsal, you just go with your first instinct and most of the time that's right - and that's what can be annoying about stage rehearsals... You can go with your first instinct in a play, or musical like this, try a million other ways and then more often than not go back to how you did it originally! Something like Hairspray though is set already, it's been done all over the world and they know what they're doing - things move really quickly. The show moves really quickly too, you learn to pace yourself... although we've just had a week off so it's been a shock getting back into the swing of things." 

Also a shock to Mark at first was the perils of working in a female fat suit. "It's not particularly heavy, it's just very hot. I'm not looking forward to spending a summer in that. Especially in the big dance numbers like Welcome To The 60's and You Can't Stop The Beat - it gets very sweaty!" During the show Edna and Tracy undergo makeovers, each of them having a little over 30 seconds to completely transform: "It should be one of the hardest parts of the show, but for me I just stand still. I run off stage and have four dressers who manage to change my dress, shoes and wig and get me back on stage to finish the song - I love Welcome To The 60's, it's a great part of the show and really gets the audience going, especially after the reveal. Edna really blossoms after the makeover, she's a good woman and I see her like a bit like a butterfly, she develops into something beautiful from something quite drab. She's insecure at first and I play her quite masculine and become more feminine as the show goes on to chart her change of character."

"I hadn't seen the show when it was on in the West End and I haven't really seen the film properly - the kids have got it, so I've seen bits but I wanted to put my own spin on what is such an iconic role as opposed to just copying John Travolta.  Apart from Welcome To The 60's my other favourite moment has to be singing Timeless To Me with Paul Rider who is Edna's husband Wilbur. I've worked with Paul a few times and we understand each other, so we have a great laugh singing together and we love working with Freya (Tracy) too! She's fresh out of drama school, bright eyed and enthusiastic and has so much talent!"

LUCY BENJAMIN

Lucy Benjamin as Velma Von Tussle (Sandra Marvin as Motormouth Maybelle)

Lucy Benjamin is having a lot of fun playing Velma on the tour but she couldn't be more unlike her horrid character. "I'm having so much fun playing Velma, she's the best character to play. She's stuck in her ways, she's not at all ashamed of her racism, which of course makes her a horrid person, but so much fun to play. I sometimes get booed, but that's great - because I know I've done my job properly! It's a good job I love it because I struggle to escape the world of Hairspray - my children love the show, they're always watching the film and if they're not doing that they've got the CD on... constantly!"

"I remember seeing the show in the West End and I loved it but I enjoy being in it much more. I watched the film before I auditioned to familiarise myself with the role but I didn't want to get too bogged down in someone else's interpretation. I've put my own spin on a character who is essentially an evil Disney princess. Her dresses are like Belle's, I love being a princess! When I'm not being a princess I love to watch Marcus Collins do his thing - he is a delight! Marcus just raises the roof, the audience love him and his song Run And Tell That is one of my favourite parts of the show... apart from when I get to sing of course! I love doing Miss Baltimore Crabs but my favourite bit to do is Velma's Revenge where I'm dragged backwards on a platform by the boys and all the smoke blows of out it - evil! 

MARCUS COLLINS

Marcus Collins as Seaweed J Stubbs (Freya Sutton as Tracy Turnblad)

Marcus Collins rose to fame and won the hearts of the nation, finishing second on the 2011 series of The X Factor and after touring the UK with the show's concert tour this tour of Hairspray marks his professional theatre debut. "The tour's going great, everyone's enjoying it and nice to be travelling to different parts of the country and seeing different cities. I'm excited about Liverpool because that's my home crowd, I'll have loads of friends and family in, but after that we've got Birmingham and I'm really looking forward to performing at the Hippodrome. I wanted to try something new after X Factor, and performing in theatres is great. I did a lot of musical theatre when I was younger but I've always wanted to do something that was a bit more commercially rewarding, and X Factor gave me the chance to be heard and get a single and album out. I'm still in the studio, recording new stuff whilst I'm on tour with Hairspray. It's two completely different worlds though, here people are coming because they're interested in a story and the characters, they're not just coming to listen to someone sing and they're not watching me - they're watching Seaweed. With Seaweed I've tried my best to tone my accent down, I've always had a broad Scouse accent and I think people are surprised when they hear me."

"For those who haven't seen the show, Hairspray is one of the most feel good shows you will ever see and it takes you back in time. The score is beautiful and at the end of the show you'll be on your feet, dancing in the isles! For me, Hairspray is a celebration of the fact that nowadays we have the freedom to live as we do, to be who we are and who we want to be, mixing with people of all different backgrounds. The 60's wasn't that long ago, and I'm amazed at how far society has come." 

"I'd never seen the show before doing it and so I got to create my own version of the character based on the script and what his song is about. Although, after I did go back and have a look on the internet to see what other Seaweed's out there had done, just being nosey really...!"

Being a hairdresser before entering into X Factor, you could say Hairspray is the perfect show for Marcus... "It's great, Hairspray amongst all other things is about great hair, and there's some fabulous wigs in the show. For me, being a hairdresser has been a vital part of the experience, I get a real buzz out of seeing the different styles and colours going on. I style my own hair, everyone else goes to the wig department to have theirs fitted, but no, I sit here and do my own!" 

"There are three bits of the show that I absolutely love, obviously my song, getting to sing Run And Tell That is great, but my stage mum Sandra Marvin singing I Know Where I've Been, I love that. I remember sitting in the cinema watching Queen Latifah sing it in the movie and it really moved me to tears - such a great song about strength and how far we've come. My other favourite bit is the end, You Can't Stop The Beat, you get the integration between black and white people and the stage is just full of colour, the costumes are great, everyone's up on their feet dancing and just having an amazing time!"

Hairspray also stars Freya Sutton as Tracy Turnblad, Paul Rider as Wilbur Turnblad, Lauren Hood as Penny Pingleton, Sandra Marvin as Motormouth Maybelle, Luke Striffler as Link Larkin, Josh Piterman as Corny Collins and Gemma Sutton as Amber Von Tussle. 

Hairspray plays at the Birmingham Hippodrome from 21st May - 1st June 2013, and you can book tickets here. 

You can listen to the Birmingham Hippodrome Podcast for Hairspray below!

You can also download and listen to the latest Birmingham Hippodrome podcasts for free on iTunes here.

View the new trailer for the 2013 tour: