The most amusing purported story about the London production of Hairspray is about a number of Michael Ball fans who have approached the Box Office asking for a refund. It seems that they have watched the show but report that Ball, the star of many West End musicals, did not make an appearance. Of course, if they have neither read the programme nor have seen the advance publicity, they indeed might not have recognised Michael Ball in a fat suit, wig and dame make up playing Tracy's mother Edna Turnblad.