Stars fear Phill won’t gel in his Hairspray role
THEATRELAND luvvies have been sharpening their claws ahead of comedian Phill Jupitus taking to the boards in his new leading role in the musical Hairspray.
It is set to be a case of handbags at dawn as fellow actors have blasted the 47 year old – set to be announced next week as the new Edna Turnblad – saying they don’t think he will be up to the job.
Better known as a team captain on BBC comedy show Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Jupitus will don full hair and make-up for the drag part, which has also been played by Michael Ball and most recently by Brian Conley, who both wowed audiences. A spokesman for Hairspray said: “Brian Conley gave a hugely sensitive and insightful performance. We hope Phill Jupitus will take on the role by the end of this year.”
But other stage actors are unimpressed. A group of four stars of West End smash-hit musicals We Will Rock You and Billy Elliot were overheard discussing his new role and it seems that poor Phill will not be able to count on colleagues’ support.
Only one of the group backed the comedian, while the other three were less encouraging. One was overheard saying: “I don’t think he will be very good. He’s just not right for the part.”
Who would have thought there could be so much back-biting in the world of acting?