Brenda Edwards makes her directorial debut on the 2024/25 Hairspray UK Tour having previously delighted audiences as “Motormouth” Maybelle when Hairspray last lit up the stage at Newcastle Theatre Royal in 2018. The Loose Women and X Factor star recently made a popular return to the Grey Street venue playing Mama Morton in the smash-hit musical Chicago earlier this month.
Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Joanne Clifton will star as Velma Von Tussle, and Neil Hurst will perform as Edna Turnblad when Hairspray visits Newcastle (Mon 11 – Sat 16 Nov 2024). We caught up with Brenda to find out more about how she is settling into her new off-stage role…
What is Hairspray the Musical about?
Hairspray is about championing the underdog. A young girl, Tracy Turnblad, has big dreams and wants to be famous. She wants to be liked, she wants to be loved, she wants to get the boy! She is judged by some people for how she looks. Unfortunately, it is still very relevant to the world we’re living in today where you’re dealing with racial tension, discrimination and people just not being able to be themselves. Everybody has a dream, and everybody should be able to pursue that dream. I just want audiences to leave feeling inspired by Tracy.
In this show you’re making your debut as a director. What made you want to switch from performing?
The producers approached me, and because I’ve been behind the scenes and on the stage performing in this great musical as Motormouth Maybelle, I have another way of looking at it. I’m not going to be changing the central story, because it’s fantastic, but I’ll be investigating and developing it a bit more and getting people to think about it in a slightly different way.
Hairspray the Musical was created more than 20 years ago and is set in 1962. How is its examination of racial discrimination in the 1960s relevant in 2024?
Hairspray addresses the story of something that really happened in 1962: the TV channel was there but black people were not allowed to be on television. It’s crazy. I think it’s important for people to not feel scared to talk about discrimination, whether that be sexual discrimination or racial discrimination. It’s a topic that I think needs to be spoken about more than it is.
Velma Von Tussle is a very difficult character and embodies the racism that flared up in the USA in the 1960s in response to the Civil Rights Movement. Do you think she ever learns anything or changes her attitudes in this story?
I want to show the two sides of Velma, the bigoted side of her that is just her way or no way, but also her vulnerability. The thing with Velma is she kind of hates everybody. It’s not just a racial thing. There’s also the question of nature or nurture, with somebody like her daughter Amber, she’s picked up her mother’s ways. But I’d like to be able to show that even though it’s too late for her mother, maybe, Amber can grow?
I know you’re very passionate about inclusion and diversity, how much were you able to be part of bringing the team of cast and the creative together for this production?
I’ve always been about inclusion. And, with this show about racial discrimination as well other discrimination, it’s important that backstage as well as front of house as well as on stage, is fully representative. I think we have that down with this cast and the crew.
As part of that, you held open auditions and that’s how you found your Motormouth Maybelle!
Yes, I was very, very proud of that. Again, it’s about inclusion and just giving an opportunity to somebody who would not necessarily have had it. And we found our Motormouth Maybelle, Michelle Ndegwa, and she’s got a beautiful voice. As soon as she started singing, I got the goosebumps, I’m excited just thinking about her voice and getting that chance to work with her and develop the Motormouth Maybelle character and for everybody else to hear her beautiful voice that’s got so much soul and gospel heart.
Do you have a favourite song or number in the show?
I love “Big, Blonde and Beautiful” because it’s a fun song and it goes through so many different levels, so many different gears. By the time I used to finish that, I was absolutely knackered!
What experience have you had touring in the North of England?
I love Newcastle! Last time we were there I had the pleasure of staying across the road from the theatre right in the middle of the centre of the city. It’s fabulous, it’s another city who know how to have a good time.
What do you want audiences to take away from Hairspray the Musical?
Life is short. So come and spread the joy of bringing everybody together as one happy community. Forget your troubles for one night and come along and have some fun with Hairspray.
Hairspray plays Newcastle Theatre Royal Mon 11 – Sat 16 Nov 2024. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.