Hairspray

Set in the 1960’s, Tracy Turnblad dreams of dancing in the Corny Collins TV Show. African American students at her school teach Tracy some dance moves and, despite opposition from programme producer Velma Von Tussle and her vicious daughter Amber, Tracy wins a place on the show. Tracy (Maisie Kitchen) and best friend Penny Pringleton (Regan Koczubic) both hold their characters well throughout the show. Tracey’s quest for racial integration in the show leads to her falling for Link Larkin (Marc Ritchie).  Marc, try not to let your voice drop away at the end of lines – otherwise a great character, well played! Doing their best to thwart Tracy, Velma Von Tussle (Millie Anderson) and daughter Amber (Eilidh Geddes) as the villains of the piece, both played excellent parts – did I hear a “Boo!” from someone nearby? Motormouth Maybelle (Orla Jones) offered a powerful personality combined with a fabulous singing voice.

Prudy Pringleton (Morgan McAlpine-Wemyss), Mr Pinky (Finlay Jones), Seaweed (Conor Westwater), Little Inez (Martha Ferguson) and Herman F Sprintzer (Caleb Cunningham) all added to the principal line-up in their own individual characters – none of which I found to be lacking in any way. However, the character who stole the show for me was Edna Turnblad (Benjamin Anderson). Benjamin, it was a pleasure to see this character captured to the extent you did, exhibiting the full range of emotions, whilst showing extreme capabilities in singing and dancing too. Your duet “You’re Timeless To Me” with Wilbur Turnblad (Jack Given) was very nearly a showstopper – congratulations to both!  

A simple set, largely comprising small trucked pieces was well utilised by Director (Iain Hughes).   Congratulations also to Musical Director (Peter Robinson) and Choreographer (Arlene Anderson) for getting the most out of LAMA’s young people, both in singing and dancing.

Careful use of lighting aided the show rather than becoming an evening of light, with a show in the background – something seen far too often these days. Sound, too, was well mixed. Just a couple of  times, the band almost drowned out the singers – but caught in time!

Many thanks LAMA (Youth) for a fine evening of entertainment!

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