MEMBERS of a community theatre group are hoping to match their previous successes with the production of an award-winning musical.

Darlington Operatic Society will stage Hairspray, at the town's Civic Theatre, in April next year.

Hairspray will be the group's next project, following the success of Sister Act, which had its final curtain call last week.

Rehearsals have already started for Hairspray, which will run for 11 shows.

It is based in the US city of Baltimore and stars Tracy Turnblad – a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, who is on a mission to follow her dreams and dance her way onto national TV.

Hairspray is a musical based on the 1988 film of the same name which starred Divine and Ricki Lake.

With music and lyrics by the Oscar-winning duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, Hairspray originally opened to rave reviews on Broadway in 2002, subsequently winning eight Tony awards. The production transferred to London’s West End in 2007 and won the Olivier award for Best New Musical.

Following the show’s success on stage, a film of the musical was released in 2007 which starred John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer and Zac Efron.

Darlington Operatic Society spokesman Julian Cound said: “We are all so excited. Sister Act was a fabulous show and we are so fortunate to be able to move straight on to a show like Hairspray. It’s going to be another big, bright, blockbuster of a production.

“Hairspray will have the same production team as Sister Act – Joanne Hand as director/choreographer and Michael Trotter as musical director.

“We have been recruiting local black performers in the run up to rehearsals and we have attracted some fabulous talent.

We would still encourage any other black performers in the area to get in touch if they are looking to get involved in Hairspray.

"Email darlingtonos@hotmail.co.uk or complete the online application form on the Join Us page of our website – darlingtonos.org.uk."

The show runs from April 22 to Saturday May 2.

Tickets cost £20 for adults and £14 for children aged 14 and under.

To book, call 01325 244659 or visit the website.