Hairspray

The show began tentatively by the ensemble with the vibrant Tracy speeding up the proceedings. This piece of musical theatre needs a strong lead and this young lady held the show together admirably. Her best pal Penny held her hand and between them they portrayed the innocence of two teenagers growing up in the unsettling world of 60’s America with tuneful panache. The boys set the girls hearts a flutter and Amber caused chaos along with her Mother. The contrast between the girls was not as clearly defined as was hoped for, the story is that Tracy doesn’t fit the mould in any way and Amber is the perfect (although manipulative and vain) all American girl, this was slightly lost in this production. ‘Hairspray’ has a reputation for being difficult to cast and James stuck to his guns and insisted on a mix race cast, and he got what he wanted thankfully, otherwise we would not have had the pleasure of Motormouth Maybelle causing the biggest stir of the night. Taking the audience by storm with her fabulous voice and stage presence, Maybelle and her beautiful children were just the icing on a big fluffy ‘Mr Pinkie’ cake.
The simple curtained set could have done with a visit from the steamer to eliminate the creases, the technical team must have found this a nightmare when lighting……but costumes were suitably kooky as were the crazy bouffant wigs and full 60’s make –up which topped of the whole feel of the show. A fun filled evening with lots of toe tapping tunes.

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