Hairspray role is no drag for actor Mark Benton

A musical that tells the story of a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart will start a two-week run in Birmingham on Tuesday.

Hairspray will continue until June 1 and tell the story of the Tracy Turnblad at The Hippodrome.

The production follows her extraordinary dreams as she inspires her mum and wins the boy she loves.

Stage and screen star Mark Benton (best known for his work in Waterloo Road and Early Doors) and will play the larger than life Turnblad family matriarch Edna in the show.

Mark will be joined by EastEnders star Lucy Benjamin who will play the role of scheming TV executive and archetypal 'showbiz mom' Velma Von Tussle, X Factor finalist Marcus Collins as Seaweed Stubbs and newcomer Freya Sutton as big-hearted, big-haired teen heroine Tracy Turnblad.

Hippodrome spokeswoman Mandy Rose said: "Hairspray is the musical with everything – the ultimate feel-good show which has played to sold out houses in London, on Broadway and theatres around the globe."

Benton has enjoyed his incarnation as Turnblad, which marks his theatre debut.

It is also the first time that the Teesside-bred actor has donned a dress.

"The thing (with drag) is you have to embrace it and just enjoy yourself. The minute you start thinking 'ooh, I can't wear this or that', you've lost really.

"I have full appreciation for any woman who wears heels. Mine aren't even high and it's agony . . . so any tips would be most welcome. But apart from that, I'm having a ball."

Hairspray was premiered on Broadway in 2002 and collected eight Tony Awards, with the West End incarnation opening in 2007 before being nominated for a record 11 Olivier accolades.

Benton thinks the role he plays is fantastic. "Basically, I think I lucked out playing this part in this show for my first musical. I hadn't seen the show and never watched it on YouTube, purposely because I was doing the part and wanted to put my own stamp on it."

His character has previously been played by the likes of Michael Ball, Phil Jupitus and Brian Conley.

"I'd seen the Divine film years ago and had seen the new John Travolta version – kind of because the kids had it. I had to not listen when the team were making suggestions which had been tried before – unless it was really funny of course, then I'd just nick it."

Benton believes Hairspray is a great musical. "It's really happy but it has a really serious underlying subject, segregation.

"It's set in 1962 when there was segregation on TV.

"On American Bandstand, they had Negro Day once a month . . . it's unbelievable isn't it?

"The great thing is though that it's there and it's a central part of the show, but hopefully the message comes through without ramming it down people's throat.

"All that music and dancing – it's a great way to make a serious point."

By Andy Richardson