Hairspray

What is it about ‘Hairspray’ that makes one look forward to seeing it, excited about going and sorry when it is over?  It is a show that keeps your feet tapping from the first few bars, your interest in everyone on stage, the characters, the dance movements, the story, even  though thankfully now very out of date, or is it because it happily takes one back to our teenage years, the clothes, the dance movements and the hairstyles!!

It could be a show that falls flat on its face but with this show that wasn’t an option.  From the moment Tracy woke up the show was alive, kicking and very entertaining, the orchestra setting a fast pace with a good rhythm.  A cast full of young people who could not only dance but sing as well, looking good in fantastic costumes (Molly Limpet’s Theatrical Emporium Ltd.)  The more mature members of the Society being in the appropriate numbers.  Hair and make-up perfectly in keeping for both the boys and the girls.

For excellent performances, where do I start, there was not a week link in the whole cast.  Tracy Turnblad (Amy McAlpine) her lovely smiling face, good voice and dancing movement held the show throughout.  Edna Turnblad – her mother (Adam Gregory) played a scorcher.  Never ever was this a man in drag, making fun of the opposite sex this was a man playing a woman working hard to provide for her family so well that at times I forgot she was a man, his little glances, actions and particularly with her husband Wilbur (Simon Carroll) were so gentle and feminine – their duet in Act II was showstopping.  Velma Von Tussle (Sam Ball) beautifully and elegantly dressed was the real bitch of the piece closely backed by her daughter Amber (Emily Carroll).  Link Larkin (Jamie Wilkinson) the young love interest always smoothing his hair, looking good, dancing well and singing beautifully.  Seeweed J Stubbs (Nathan Hurtault) with his mother Motormouth Maybelle (Monique Slattery) and sisters provided the integration to solve the whole story plot.

 

The sets were amazing, rolling effortlessly exactly into place and out again assisted by a costumed stage crew playing their parts at sweeping up etc as and when time allowed.  The sound was well balanced and at no time was too loud, which can sometimes happen with a rock show.

The evening flew by and all too soon the capacity audience was on its feet, clapping, applauding and dancing to the reprise finale showing their appreciation for the wonderful and enjoyable evening that they had been a part of.

 

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