Hairspray

Hairspray was a sharp contrast to last year’s production of Jekyll and Hyde which the company delivered to the usual high standard. Stephanie O’Raw’s passion for musical theatre shone throughout her flawless performance as the pleasantly plump teenager Tracy Turnblad who had her sights set on stardom and ultimately campaigning to help racially integrate the Corny Collins Show. As her ‘plus-sized’ mother Edna, Matthew Coulter provided great amusement in donning the frocks and heels to support Tracy achieve her goal in particular through the number “Welcome to the 60’s”. Matthew also proved to be a fair match for Joe Totten as Edna’s goofy husband Wilbur both generating laughter in their entertaining presentation of “You’re Timeless to Me”. Rachael Totten made a fine egotistic Amber Von Tussel demonstrating that she would stop at nothing to win the acclaimed Miss Hairspray Teenage pageant, ruthlessly supported by her mother Velma Von Tussel and producer of the Corny Collins show, ably played by Angela Ball. As Motormouth Maybelle, Marie Doyle brilliantly captured the character nailing the numbers ‘Big Blond and Beautiful and ‘I Know Where I’ve Been’. Great performances were also provided by Bryan Shallow (Link Larkin), James Brown (Corny Collins), Angela Turnbull (Penny Pingleton), Andrew McKenna (Seaweed) Darren Strang (Mr Pinky) together with all other supporting principals which space does not permit me to name each individually. This production attracted some young people from the newly established junior section of the group including Emily Franchi (aged 12) who played Little Inez. The show was bright, colourful, sharp and upbeat which all in the company must be extremely pleased with.

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