THE tale of a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart is to return to Mayflower Theatre in 2018.

Producers of the smash hit Hairspray promises a big, bad and beautiful production.

The much-loved musical comedy, based on the 1988 cult film of the same name, will visit more than 30 venues across the length and breadth of the UK and Ireland next year.

It’s Baltimore 1962, where Tracy Turnblad is on a mission to follow her dreams and dance her way onto national TV. Tracy’s audition makes her a local star and soon she is using her new-found fame to fight for equality, winning the heart of local heartthrob Link Larkin along the way.

Producer Mark Goucher said: “I am incredibly proud of this production of Hairspray and thrilled that it will be travelling the country again. The universal appeal of this heart-warming show has continued to delight us all, with families and musical theatre lovers alike packing out theatres night after night.”

Featuring the iconic music and lyrics by Academy Award, Tony and Emmy winning duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, Hairspray is directed by Paul Kerryson, with choreography by Drew McOnie.

It's a musical based on the 1988 film of the same name which starred Divine and Ricki Lake by cult filmmaker John Waters.

With book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, Hairspray originally opened to rave reviews on Broadway in 2002 and subsequently won eight Tony Awards. The production opened in London at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 2007 and won four Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Musical.

Proving to be an international success, Hairspray has also played in South Africa, Japan, South Korea, China and Dubai.

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

Star casting for the tour will be announced soon.

Tickets are on sale now for Hairspray, which runs from January 22 to 27, from 023 8071 1811 or mayflower.org.uk