Hairspray

Set in the early 1960s in Baltimore, Maryland, a quirky teenager Tracy Turnblad dreams of dancing in the TV Corny Collins Show. African American students at school teach her some dance moves and despite opposition from the network producer, Velma, and her popular but vicious daughter Amber, Tracy wins her spot on the show and under her influence eventually overcomes the odds to achieve racial integration on the show.

Kara Pugh as ‘Tracy’ opens the show with great strength and vitality capturing the character completely throughout. We quickly moved into an episode of the Corny Collins Show led by Frankie Blincoe-Deval as ‘Corny’, in the sharpest suit and broadest smile to match you will ever see.  Tracy is supported by her close friend ‘Penny Lou Pingleton’ (Jess Blakemore) who too plays with great strength and Tracy’s quest to promote integration within the TV programme finds a romantic connection with ‘Link Larkin’ (Jack Brown) playing the smooth heart-throb well, who eventually falls for her.

Doing their best to thwart Tracy, ‘Velma Von Tussle’ (Grace Adams) and daughter ‘Amber’ (Laura Barnes) are completely convincing as the selfish villains of the piece, doing all within their powers to win the Miss Teenage Hairspray pageant.

Whilst good support is provided by the other principals including Charlotte Albutt (‘Prudy Pingleton’), Georgia Andrews (‘Little Inez’),Grace Davidson (‘Motormouth Maybelle’), and Hugh Jeavons (‘Harriman F.Spritzer’), outstanding contributions are provided by Adam Blakemore as ‘Edna Turnblad’, Leo Carl Abad as ‘Seaweed J. Stubbs’ and Matthew Tennant, ever growing in stature, as ‘Wilbur Turnblad’, whose Act 2 number with Edna (You’re Timeless to Me) was a highlight. Adam provided a totally assured performance with style and humour, a great example of clarity, speed of delivery and how to execute that all important punchline downstage. Leo too had great stage presence and is a talented dancer.

‘Hairspray’ is packed with great musical numbers and these were all carried out with energy, with some well choreographed and rehearsed dance sequences. The cast were very well dressed and the set was well designed and built (any group need a giant hairspray bottle?).   The 9 piece band, sound and lighting complimented this bright and energetic youth production in the capable hands of Sam Jeffrey and Vicky Lake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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