The musical 'Hairspray' is set to close, following a two and a half year run in London's West End.

The Olivier Award winning musical, based on the 1988 film of the same name, opened in October of 2007 at the Shaftesbury Theatre, and will close on 28 March. It's not gone altogether, however, as it will begin a UK tour in March.

Stage Entertainment UK chief executive Bill Taylor says "Every show, even a big, glorious hit show like this one, has a natural life and for now it's time for Hairspray to leave London".

He's right. A pity some other shows don't bow out gracefully.