Heaven is a Place in Hairspray!

Belinda Carlisle

Belinda Carlisle as Velma Von Tussle

Eighties songstress Belinda Carlisle is the latest name to join the star studded cast of Hairspray.

The glamorous Go Gos front woman jumped at the chance to tread the boards at Shaftesbury Theatre after the recession led her to London and her West End debut.

“I pushed my management to get me an audition for the show. I was originally meant to perform in New York but because of the economy the show closed,” she said.

Her love of sixties music made the choice to chase the role to London an easy one and the chance to appear in the West End production, which won four Olivier awards in March 2008, including best musical, was irresistible.

“Hairspray is great, it’s camp, it’s fun. The music in the show is incredible. I just love that genre,” Belinda added.

Belinda has been donning the big blonde wig of TV station controller Velma Von Tussle since October 26^th And she’s loving every minute of it.

“Velma is such a Cruella De Vil character. She’s the complete opposite of me but when I put that wig on I’m Velma, I just can’t help but become her.”

Starring alongside fellow Hairspray newcomer, Never Mind the Buzzcocks comedian Phil Jupitus, has made the transition from recording studio to musical theatre a smooth one for Belinda.

“It’s pretty much a totally new cast. We gel together really nicely, everyone has a great camaraderie; it makes me feel really comfortable.”

But even Los Angeles legends struggle with West End nerves sometimes.

“With singing it’s challenging but not half as challenging as dancing, singing and acting. It being live you really don’t know how it’s going to go. I like the butterflies feeling before I go out on stage because for the most part I do feel comfortable out there but there are nights when you worry you’ll go out there and have two left feet.”

The final Hairspray curtain will fall for Belinda in January but with the perfect formula for long lasting success under her belt the Grammy award nominee doesn’t plan on stopping there.

“I’m born in the lucky stars. Success is 90 percent vibration and 10 percent luck. I’m busy until August 2010, my memoirs are my big baby for next year and I’ll probably be recording next year too, but I would love to do more West End.”