Hairspray

This was the first time I had seen Hairspray and if this production is anything to go by I hope it will not be my last.
The energy and talent these youngsters have is second to none, they danced their way through numerous numbers and each time came up and gave more. This is a fast moving show and it requires some fast moving choreography and this is certainly what Becky Lancashire produced, this was her first time with Steps and I hope they will ensure she is used more and more to deliver some more excellent routines.
I would think most people will know 'Good Morning Baltimore' and when April Taylor, in the part of Tracy Turnblad, sang and danced this number (complete with fat suit) it was exhilarating, how she managed to deliver all the words at the same time as dancing around the stage I will never know, maybe she did not have a fat suit but an oxygen tank strapped around her!
The part of Edna Turnblad was taken by Joshua Paget, he again had to wear a fat suit not only to make him look bigger but also to make him into a woman.He was still able to deliver this to perfection in all the energetic numbers as well as the poignant 'You’re Timeless to Me' number with husband Wilbur, played by Martin Farthing. He looked every bit the part of the young American gent and also kept this portrayal all through the show.
In a show like this there are numerous characters such as Link Larkin played by Sam Hague, Penny Lou Pingleton played by Eleanor Hewitt, Seaweed J Stubbs played by Steve Maycock, Amber Von Tussle played by Sian McMillan and Velma Von Tussle played by Chloe Mae Sayles, all giving one hundred and ten percent to make this show such a success and everyone of them taking a pride in their performance.
One person I must mention is Sam Shirtliffe as Motormouth Maybelle, she sang' I know Where I’ve Been' and brought the house down, the audience not waiting until the end to give her the well deserved round of applause, she certainly put her heart and soul into this and wow did it show.
If enthusiasm could be bottled then I want to buy a whole crate from these youngsters, they give their all to each performance and I would imagine there were some very proud parents in Rotherham last week as well as a very proud director in Ash White, well done to all involved in Hairspray.

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