Hairspray

This is a show about fighting for what you believe to be right and although these principles may not be uppermost in the audience’s minds as they leave the theatre, what they will remember is the sheer energy and enthusiasm by the entire cast.

Hairspray is all about escapism, nostalgia but most of all, fun. This is one of those feel good musicals, up there with the likes of  Mamma Mia and based on the 1988 film. Set in 1962 Baltimore it tells the tale of overcoming discrimination of both size and colour. The idea of racial integration can be quite a serious topic but here it is told in a fun way with comedy and some foot tapping music, couple this with Kayleigh Carina’s slick choreography and the result is spectacular.

Laura Dee, looking every inch the part, leads the strong cast as Tracy Turnblad, coupled with her idol Link Larkin played well by Patrick Alder.  Tracy’s mother Edna is traditionally played by a man and Lee David Chantry brought believable realism to the role and although playing a woman, this is no pantomime dame performance, usually left to  John Endicott I believe, but tonight was John’s chance to shine as Tracy’s father, Wilbur Turnblad. Debbie Brennan and Millie Longhurst were suitably spiteful as Velma and Amber Von Tussle. The biggest voice on stage tonight was that of Rachel Ann Crane as Motor Mouth, she brought a bluesy quality to her singing. Jason Lodoiska as her son Seeweed forms a relationship with Tracy’s best friend Penny Pingleton  played with good comedic timing by Jeni Brownshill. This relationship defines everything that Tracy has been fighting for and eventually after a spell behind bars, everything comes good in the end. 

Hairspray is all about escapism, nostalgia but most of all, fun.

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