Jupitus lands West End drag role

Phill Jupitus is to star in West End musical Hairspray – in drag.

The Never Mind The Buzzcocks star will be replacing Brian Conley as leading lady Edna Turnblad from October 26.

Pop star Belinda Carlisle is also joining the cast at the same time, playing the malevolent Velma von Tussle.

The role, at the Shaftesbury Theatre, is not Jupitus’s West End debut, as he starred in Lifecoach at the Trafalgar Studio 2 last year.

Set in the world of Sixties amateur dance competitions, Hairspray won four Olivier awards last year.

Published: 2 Sep 2009