Hairspray

“Hairspray” is the Musical set in America’s 1950s states that are dealing with the issue of mixed races.  A show that has great comedy, music and dance with a thought provoking moral tale.  A great show choice for a youth production, and this cast of Crash Bang Wallop Youth Theatre certainly gave it there all to give a great upbeat and warm feeling show.  A cast of many with great talent and energy gave the impression they enjoyed performing the show as much as their audience did watching it. 

Principal roles were all well cast, with Tracy Turnblad played by Annabella Burgess playing a lively and enthusiastic role well suited to the part, coping well with an opening number sound issue, had a voice worth waiting for, who powered through the night.  Love interest Link played by Mackenzie Proll was nicely performed with the ego that was evident and then lesson learnt well.  Comedy part in drag Edna was very well played by Nic Clayson, keeping the appearance and character all evening. Some lovely comedy lines well delivered, and ably partnered by Theo Greening as Wilbur the chaotic father who saves the day.

The ferocious Velma Von Tussle was beautifully played by Ella Murton, singing with power and character and lines delivered with venom, and her precautious daughter Amber was performed by Jen Beasley with good drama and character too.  Corny Collins the show’s host was played by Joe Morton who I believe stole the hearts with his cute facial expressions and character, who just needs to slow his speech to get the diction too.   Penny Pingleton the hapless friend (Erin Gilhespie) was a lovely performance busy characterisation and great comedy too, along with Harry Gates as Seaweed with a lovely voice and smooth mannerisms.  Bossy bigoted mum Prudy Pingleton was nicely played by Eliza Wappat, well performed and ably portrayed.  Motormouth Maybelle was excellently performed by Georgia Williams with stunning voice and full of character, again despite her first song without working mic, stoically performed and her “I know where I’ve been” was amazing.  Her daughter Li'l Inez played by Abigail Robertson was equally stunning in her singing and full of sassy character too, performed with bags of confidence.

The opening scene was choregraphed lovely and all changes done nicely. “I can hear the bells” with its frozen scenes worked well. The gym scene used film recording that was well made, though seemed a bit modern for a 50’s setting, added a new element though. “It takes two” had nice effects with petals and cute cupids with arrows.   Seb Carr-Smith s Mr. Pinky with “Welcome to the 60s” was a good performance and song and nice costume changes completed.  Protest scene was choregraphed well to conclude act 1.  Act II opening Dolls House with tapping convicts was nicely choreographed.  The double number “Without Love” was good with dual lighting and voices all blending nicely.  The closing number “Can’t stop the beat” was full of energy, danced well and colourful finale to show

The costumes were colourful and styled to the period. The set was a good design, nicely painted, making good use of spaces floor in front of orchestra and side stage for Turnblad’s home as a static area used frequently throughout the show that worked well.  Lighting was well done with use of the blocked areas, as well as colourful full stage, with sharp changes and fast-moving continuity, not always followed as quickly by sound though.

Well done CBW – a huge team effort to give a great show. 

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