ACCRINGTON Theatre Group is appealing for new members to take part in its next production of the hilarious all-singing, all-dancing feel-good show Hairspray.

It is welcoming anyone over the age of 16 who would like to get involved, on or off stage.

The group is currently rehearsing for Hairspray which originally featured John Travolta in the hilarious lead female role for the cinema.

After auditions in early December, the group will begin full rehearsals in the new year, on Monday and Wednesday evening at Clayton-le-moors Conservative Club, from 7.30pm-10.00pm.

Chorus members will be needed for one night per week until later in the year. It will then become both evenings and, towards the last month, there will also be Sunday rehearsals.

Hairspray will be performed at Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre from Tuesday, June 30 – Saturday, July 4.

Find the production page on Facebook, ‘Hairspray by Accrington Theatre Group’, or follow the Accrington Theatre Group page for updates and, nearer the time, ticket availability.

For further details of how to get involved check out the website accringtontheatregroup.co.uk n Hairspray is a musical with music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman and a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, based on the 1988 John Waters film Hairspray. The songs include 1960s-style dance music and “downtown” rhythm and blues.

In 1962 Baltimore, Maryland, plump teenager Tracy Turnblad’s dream is to dance on The Corny Collins Show, a local TV dance program based on the real-life Buddy Deane Show.

When Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight, and meets a colourful array of characters. She then launches a campaign to integrate the show.

Hairspray is a social commentary on the injustices of parts of American society in the 1960s. The musical’s original Broadway production opened on August 15, 2002.

In 2003 it won eight Tony Awards out of thirteen nominations. It ran for over 2,500 performances and closed on January 4, 2009. Hairspray has also had national tours, a London West End production, and numerous foreign productions and was adapted as a 2007 musical film. The London production was nominated for a record-setting eleven Laurence Olivier Awards, winning for Best New Musical and in three other categories.