Hairspray

We were transported back in time to 1960's Baltimore, where the nicest kids in town loved to sing, dance and use a whole load of hairspray.  This all time classic story which revolves around the larger than life character Tracy Turnblad was brought to life at The Civic Theatre, Oswaldtwistle by Accrington Theatre Group. When ‘Hairspray’ is mentioned people instantly remember the 2007 film which brings about the trials and tribulations of teenage kids living in a world where racial segregation was a part of everyday life. This musical contains many themes including bullying, racial separation and of course love.

Accrington's interpretation of this classic show opened with a very lively and enthusiastic cast. 'Good Morning Baltimore' provided us with a very high standard of vocals and dancing, instantly getting people singing and bopping up and down in their seats. This opening number set the standard for what was a very promising show to come.

As the show progressed we were introduced to a very talented company, which was well cast with people being able to fulfil the expected stereotypes of the characters. A varied cast of many ages could be seen on stage, which is vital for a show of this nature. This gives the show a true community feeling of a town. It was nice to see the society had attracted so many youth members for this production. The only down side was the expectation of more people of different ethnic backgrounds, purely due to the nature of the show and the numerous references in the script. This said the people who played these parts did so very well and portrayed a different persona through their vocals and mannerisms in addition to the subtle difference in costumes.

The choreography was well executed, with huge amounts of energy and was very varied throughout. The movements were all fitting for the music and the era that the show is set. The dance sections where all interesting with a high standard of dancing achieved. It was easy to see the entire cast had obviously spent a lot rehearsal time on this. The end result made this all worthwhile.

The lighting for the show may have been a little over complicated, with issues occurring with follow spots and cues. Some scenes in the show seemed to be lacking in light, making it hard to see what was happening on stage. Some complicated follow spot cues during ‘Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now’, seemed to cause confusion for the operators making them get behind and then jump in front. A less complex lighting design could have been adopted, which would have offered a similar effect. Sound on the whole was good, with a great balance between both cast and orchestra. Although one of the principles radio microphone did cause issues in the second act, this created a very loud crackling noise and it prevented the audience from appreciating the scene and song. It distracted everyone completely from what was happening on the stage.

As the show moved along we were treated to some good singing and acting from both principles and chorus. Some people played multiple roles, but due to costuming and wigs this wasn't extremely obvious and didn’t cause any confusion as to who was who as it sometimes can. The show also had some extremely funny sections, ‘You're Timeless to Me’ was one of our favourites. 

Costumes were superb being very varied and colourful. They all appeared to be fitted well and suited the characters helping to make this a very believable production. The costumes were also fitting for the era and the props were good throughout. The use of multicoloured bells and hairspray cans fitted in with the style of the show and coordinated with the set. The whole set was very colourful and interesting. On a whole it was sturdy and both the cloths and trucks were put to good use.

The day we attended this production was the hottest day ever recorded in the month of July.  This made dancing and acting on stage very difficult. It was uncomfortable in the auditorium, so the cast on stage must have been extremely hot. The whole company should be commended as the heat didn't dampen their spirits and they maintained a high level of energy and enthusiasm. The lively way that the show started was maintained until the end, with no evidence of fatigue. Especially the finale song  ‘You Can’t Stop the Beat’ which topped the production off nicely.   

Overall Accrington Theatre Group created a funny, dynamic and enjoyable show. All the audience young and old left with smiles on their faces. Many singing the songs which they had heard performed so well throughout the show. Cast, Crew, Production Team and Front of House should all be acknowledged for their effort in creating such a fantastic show.  We would like to once again thank the society for their kind hospitality and look forward to seeing their 2016 production. 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.