Hairspray (musical) encourages individuality, acceptance and freedom. It is a musical that can be applied to any social context and time, as it highlights ongoing issues such as fat-shaming, racism and discrimination. It also explores femininity in terms of the female characters. Notably, Tracy’s mother, Edna Turnblad, is performed in drag during the shows. Allowing a drag role for Edna adds a queerness to the musical as it does not include any gay characters. Edna is considered to be the non-racialised other that is part of the story in Hairspray. The musical also challenges the societal norms of a female. The body
Les Dennis Conley and Michael Starke – who alternated the role of Edna Turnblad. In 2012 he starred in the touring production of "Legally Blonde The Musical" playing the role of Professor Callahan. In 2017, Dennis played the role of Uncle Fester on the UK tour of the musical production of The Addams Family. The production starred Samantha Womack and Carrie Hope Fletcher and was produced by James Yeoburn and Stuart Matthew Price for United Theatrical, Katy Lipson for Area Entertainment and Music & Lyrics in association with Festival Theatre, Edinburgh Dennis's big-screen debut was in the film "Intimate Relations" with Julie