Hairspray

Once again Darlington gave another superb production, there were many excellent performances. Due to the  type of show they are now producing they have got an increased membership, and for this show to adopt their many members they doubled up the principal parts. I must say at the outset that the main complaint was that the sound was far too loud, a view expressed by others in the audience. This did not, however, in any way alter the fact that it was a first class production, I think the audiences were overwhelmed at the end of the show. Tracy Turnblad was played by Rhiannon Walker, very well indeed, her mother Edna Turnblad was played by  Andrew Hamilton and gave a outstanding performance. Wilber Turnblad, Edna's husband was excellently played by Neil  Harland and he was an excellent match for Andrew Hamilton.  Ellen Johnson played Penny  Pingleton very well indeed .Playing opposite Penny was Omar Shade as Seaweed  Stubbs, how well they played together. Amber Von Tussle was excellently played by  Karen Stone. Playing opposite  Amber was Ben Connor  playing Link Larkin, he continues to give outstanding performances. Penny's Mother Prudy  was well played by Alison Brown. Velma Von Tussle was superbly played by Samantha Morrison, the Producer in the Corny Collins show, she showed her authority. Corny Collins was well played by Leighton Taylor and was ideal for the part. Lee Morris had a few different parts , Mr Pinky, Mr  Spritzer and the guard in the prison, he was hard to recognise in his different parts and did a first class job. Motormouth Maybelle was very well played by Latoya Black and her daughter Little Inez was well played by Danielle Murdoch. There was an excellent chorus very well choreographed  by Joanne Hand because the stage never appeared cramped at any time.

Many of the roles were 'doubled' with different teams playing on alternative performances and these played equally as well with Kat Flynn (Tracy), Hannah Mundy (Penny), Zoe Birbeck (Amber) Tina Davis (Velma), Cyanne Roberts (Inez), Julian Cound (Edna), Michael Hirst (Corny) and Glyn Bigham (Wilbur) in the alternative team roles.

The orchestra  under the baton of Michael Trotter was very good with some lovely sounds. The back stage staff  were very efficient, the make up team did a marvellous job with all the wigs and general make up. Overall it was a great show, anybody not knowing the Society would have thought it was a professional show. Again well done Darlington.

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