Hairspray

Produced and Directed by Ashley James, Hairspray by YPPA was a pleasure to see.  The cast were energetic, enthusiastic and oozed talent.  The singing, dancing and acting was to a very high standard with a strong cast and great pace.  It was clear that everyone on stage was having a fabulous time and this carried through into the auditorium as the audience had a ball too. 

Set in Baltimore in 1962, this charming story is set against a serious backdrop of racial segregation and the perceived importance of ‘image’.  There were some important messages within the storyline not least that ‘you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover’.

There were 55 performers in the production with the principal roles split into two teams.  The production I saw had Marcie Torr portray Tracy Turnblad – barely off-stage Torr really embodied the role dancing, singing and performing excellently – a very believable and engaging Tracy.  Playing Tracy’s best friend, Penny Pingleton, was Josie Derbyshire who gave a brilliant performance – full of energy and with great comic timing.  Dan Rossiter was great as Corny Collins, the fast talking show compere and Reiss Tomlinson was well cast as Link Larkin, Tracy’s dreamy crush.  Tegan Whitby made the role of vicious Amber Von Tussle her own – with great moves and fabulous stage presence working well with Courtney Dylan as her pushy mother, Velma Von Tussle.

The principal cast was completed with Wisdom Tabula playing a strong Seaweed, Micha Swallow as a confident Motormouth Maybelle, Melissa Harrower as a sweet and endearing Little Inez with Nell Stroughair as Prudy Pingleton.  Pingleton performed with excellent characterisation and it was only when I looked at the programme I realised she was playing a character decades older than her actual age – very convincing.  I was hugely impressed with Jonah Thompson as Edna Turnblad – a great accent and a beautifully portrayed part – very, very well done.  Thompson was well -supported by Martin Farthing in the role of Wilbur Turnblad – a fabulous performance.  The routine ‘You’re Timeless to Me’ by Thompson and Farthing was brilliantly delivered.

Choreographer, Danyl-James Turvey created some great routines for the strong ensemble all of which were full of energy, with smart moves and in-time dancers.  As with all the routines the finale was polished and certainly ensured that the show finished on a high point with a standing ovation from the appreciative audience.  Andy Collis, Musical Director, was supported by a ten-piece band who produced a beautiful sound to support the confident solos and full-cast production numbers.

The brightly coloured set was excellent for this production and I particularly liked the Hardy Har Hut (joke shop) with the very clever ‘blind pulling device’ – well operated by Farthing.  The costumes, hair and make-up really suited the period and the performers.  Light and sound were well designed for this fast-moving show. 

YPPA is made up of young people aged from 10-25, with some help from ‘more senior’ performers for this production and a strong support network evident in the many people listed in the programme.  It is clear everyone involved gave their all to this fabulous production.  Congratulations to the Production Team, Cast and Crew for a great show and a welcome return to the stage for YPPA. 

 

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