You can't stop the beat as Sky1 takes to the stage for a brand new all-singing, all-dancing family entertainment spectacular.
Denise Van Outen presents an eight-part series that sets an extraordinary challenge for an ordinary high school. Working with the students, Denise must help to bring some West End sparkle to a school musical as the kids perform their own version of Hairspray. This will be the world premiere of the Broadway and West End smash being performed as a school musical.
Kingsmead Comprehensive Secondary School in Enfield, Middlesex, is the chosen school. Students will audition in front of our panel of experts for a chance to be named one of the 'Nicest Kids in Town' in the 28-strong cast. Set in 1962 Baltimore, Hairspray tells the story of Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart whose only passion in life is dancing. Winning a slot on a local TV dance show, Tracy becomes a celebrity in Baltimore and hopes to win the affections of heartthrob Link Larkin, whilst using television to bridge the city's racial divide.
If Kingsmead's pupils want to be 'Welcomed to the 60s' they must impress our experts - vocal coach Zoe Tyler (How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, Any Dream Will Do); choreographer Stacey Haynes (Strictly Dance Fever, Musicality); and Denise herself - with their talents for singing, dancing and acting. Once cast, Denise and her team will have just a few weeks of rehearsals to whip the production into shape and get it to the West End standard they hope to achieve.
In addition to enlisting the help of the original creative team from the West End's multi award-winning Hairspray, Denise will also bring in her showbiz pals to lend their expertise during rehearsals week. Famous faces helping the Kingsmead kids include Lee Mead and - giving a 60s masterclass - Mary Wilson of The Supremes. Plus, from the West End production, Michael Ball, Ben James Ellis and Leanne Jones will also help out the performers chosen to play their respective characters. Expect drama, dropouts, crushes and competition, all captured in high definition, as Denise and her cast and crew embark on a race against time, culminating in a spectacular finale which will cap an exhaustive and emotional personal journey for everyone involved. In front of their school, friends, family, and a celebrity-filled audience, the cast of high school kids will perform their version of Hairspray in a West End theatre, experiencing the true glitz and glamour of show business.
Feel-good and captivating, Hairspray: The School Musical is unmissable family viewing this autumn.
