First look at Shane Jacobson as Edna Turnblad!

Australia – here is your first glimpse of Shane Jacobson as Edna Turnblad!

Much-loved stage and screen performer Shane Jacobson will star as beloved housewife Edna Turnblad, a role he has dreamed of performing for a long time. 

Shane said:

I have a small team of people that help me complete my transformation from Shane Jacobson to Edna Turnblad. It’s quite a process to be honest, but it’s worth all the effort to make sure that the audience don’t just see me on stage in a dress with a bit of lippy on. I want them to see Edna, a loving mother and wife, if that is what the audience feels when I walk on stage then our job is done… all that’s left to do then is act, sing and dance my well padded ass off. I love the fact that when I look in the mirror after the metamorphosis, I can’t even see me….and yet it is me under the wig and all that makeup. It’s an actor’s dream to step into someone else’s shoes, especially when those shoes are very high heels.

Set in 1962 in Baltimore, Maryland, it tells the story of dance-loving teenager Tracy Turnblad who has one dream – to dance on The Corny Collins Show. When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star and she must use her newfound power to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob Link Larkin and integrate a TV network… all without denting her ‘do! 

The Broadway production of Hairspray also toured nationally across the US, a West End production was nominated for a record-breaking 11 Olivier Awards and it was adapted as a film in 2007 starring John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken and Zac Efron. 

Shane Jacobson is one of Australia’s most loved, award-winning actors, presenters and entertainers. His incredible and varied career spans over 40 years both here at home and internationally, with screen highlights including Kenny; Charlie & Boots with Paul Hogan; Hollywood blockbuster The Bourne Legacy; the hugely popular Oddball; The Dressmaker (2015); Bruce Beresford’s Ladies in Black; The Very Excellent Mr Dundee; Beaconsfield; Jack Irish; Top Gear Australia; Little Big Shots; The Real Full Monty and Australia’s Got Talent. 

On stage, Jacobson’s career highlights include a Helpmann Award for Best Male in a Supporting Role for ‘Nicely Nicely’ in the 2008 revival of the musical Guys and Dolls, The Drowsy Chaperone (2010), Shane Warne – The Musical (2013), Mother & Son (2014) and The Rocky Horror Show (2018). 

Further casting announcements will be made in the coming months. 

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For tickets and more information, please visit www.hairspraymusical.com.au

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Header photo by Jeff Busby