Hairspray

Hairspray actually provides a thinly disguised social statement on racial tension and ethnic segregation that was prevalent in Baltimore in 1962.

The show opens with a great number ‘Good Morning Baltimore’ sung with gusto by Tracy and Company. There were many very good characterisations in this show from a large cast. Holly Brown playing Tracy Turnblad was quite excellent in the lead role she sang and danced her heart out, and with her best friend Penny played superbly well by Shannon Whittle they formed a great duo, well done. The pushy mother character of Velma von Tussle was in the capable hands of Karen Simpson and her ‘spoiled brat’ daughter Amber was very well played by Victoria Crossman. Connor Simkins did well as the teen idol Link Larkin, as did Matthew Alpin as Seaweed. One of the highlights for me was Robbie Love playing Edna Turnblad the mother of Tracy, he was a pleasure to watch as the larger than life mother. I especially enjoyed the duet between Edna and Wilbur Turnblad played by John Haydock ‘Timeless to Me’ is a super number with some good comedy lines, they had the audience in stitches, well done. Also I enjoyed the performance given by Mandie Doherty as Maybelle Motormouth, she sang ‘I Know Where I’ve Been’, very convincingly. I thought that Karl Roe as the presenter of the ‘Corny Collins Show’ did a good job, a special mention to Sherilynn Turner a delightful young lady who worked hard as Little Inez. All the smaller but important parts were all well played, the girls and boys of the chorus all looked as though they were enjoying themselves, they all sang and danced throughout with charm and enthusiasm.

The sets and costumes were good, this was a very colourful show with excellent principles, imaginative choreography, with good lighting and sound, and not forgetting the super orchestra under the expert eye of Angela Pearson, also it was good to see a capacity audience. Thank you.

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