Hairspray

Hairspray is based on the 1988 film. Set in 1962 Baltimore, it is a story not afraid to confront taboos head-on about overcoming discrimination of both size and colour. Although quite a serious topic it is told in a fun way with some foot tapping music. We saw some superb choreography and detailed direction from Tracy Weaver and the result was spectacular. Scenery for this show was achieved by a clever use of flats on trucks, which could be turned. Lighting, as ever all important, together with sound worked well. Colourful costumes and styled hair and wigs gave us the 1960s' feel. The band, under the direction of Isabel Kydd were brilliant with different 60s' styles to master such as ‘rhythm and blues’ and ‘spiritual’.

Leading a strong cast is Claire Tilley as Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and even bigger ambitions, longing to audition for The Corny Collins Show. Claire was joyful and expressive, a joy to watch. The role of her Mum Edna is traditionally played by a man and here we had Darren Higgins who brought believable realism to the part, but what was his facial make-up all about? It looked wrong and just didn’t work in trying to make his face look plumper. One of the best numbers of the show was the duet between Edna and Wilbur Turnblad (Greg Shea), this showed Greg’s comic talent, exceptional throughout the show.

Tracy’s idol Link Larkin was played well by Alex Dunmore with a pleasing singing voice. Benjamin Newton was the smarmy Corny Collins and Lorna Veale and Olivia Piper were splendid as the bitchy, spiteful mother and spoilt daughter Velma and Amber Von Tussle. The biggest voice on stage was that of Bruna Bonafe as Motormouth Maybelle who had a smooth rich bluesy quality to her voice. Kieran Dehal played her son Seaweed J. Stubbs who formed a relationship with Tracy’s best friend Penny Pingleton (Sophie Knight) whose comedic timing was impeccable. This relationship defines everything Tracy has been fighting for and eventually, after a spell behind bars, everything comes good in the end.

There were many more individually named principals and chorus too numerous to mention, but each enhanced the production by making their particular character their own and the sheer energy and enthusiasm by the entire cast, together with catchy, lively music, gave the audience a night to remember.

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