Britain's biggest touring musical, Hairspray, gets under way at the Edinburgh Playhouse

Set to entertain an estimated 85,000 people over the next four weeks, Hairspray stars not only Michael Ball and former Monkey Micky Dolenz, but a rather skinny city lass.

Although the show may be better known for its well-built heroine Tracy Turnblad, Gillian Kirkpatrick was keen to point out that there's a lesser-known side to evil, underfed arch-rival Velma Von Tussle.

• Theatre review: Hairspray at The Edinburgh Playhouse

Relaxing briefly against the doorframe of her dressing room, a glass of champagne in hand while she posed for photographs, Kirkpatrick laughed as she talked about the character she plays.

"I always seem to get these parts," she said. "I don't know if someone's trying to tell me something? But it is great fun playing a bitch.

"Velma's just misunderstood really. I think she's got a heart of gold underneath it all, well, sort of."

Following in the footsteps of Michelle Pfeiffer and Belinda Carlisle, who have both portrayed the character, Kirkpatrick was not so much worried by the demands of the role as stepping out on to the stage in Edinburgh.

"It's quite something coming up here to the Playhouse. It is a big deal for me. I never get nervous at all but I was tonight, so that says it all. We got a great buzz from the audience as well," she said.

Co-star Michael Ball disagreed with Kirkpatrick's analysis of Velma, however, suggesting that part of the show's strength lies in the actress's ability to convey all of her character's nastiness.

He said: "Gillian's just brilliant. She's not afraid of making the scary choices, the difficult choices in acting. Most people think, 'I want to be liked', but she goes for it absolutely.

"It was a great night tonight, but I've never had a bad night in Edinburgh. They've always been such great audiences."

Micky Dolenz added: "Gillian is a great villain. I've played the villain before in shows and it's the most fun. You get to say and do things you wouldn't ever do in real life and she does a great job."

Playhouse general manager Gary Roden said: "It is incredibly exciting to have the biggest show currently touring the UK with us in Edinburgh at Christmas.

"Hairspray is the perfect feel-good Christmas show, which will be delighting our sell-out crowds into what I hope will be another very successful New Year at the Playhouse."