Lifestyle,  theatre

Hairspray Is A Sunny Delight!

With the self proclaimed ‘nicest kids in town’ entertaining you, Hairspray rates very highly when it comes to the feelgood factor. It was back in Wolverhampton last night at the city’s Grand Theatre, bringing  the story of the larger than life Tracy Turnblad, and her battles against racism and sizism in 1960s Baltimore. As ever, it was as fun and frothy as a musical can be, but with a real moral story behind it. For audiences old and new, it once again proved that you really can’t stop the beat!

1960s Baltimore is a bastion of segregation, and this is highlighted perfectly in the teen music programme ‘The Corny Collins Show’, an array of squeaky clean white teenagers dancing to the latest sounds. Once a month they have ‘negro day’, a nod to the black community, but that is as far as racial equality goes, and the teens would certainly never dance together. But step forward Tracy Turnblad, a tubby teenager with sass and determination in abundance. Not only is she determined to dance on the Corny Collins show despite not fitting the perfect image, but she also wants to take her black friends, including Seaweed and Little Inez, with her. Tracy is brave and idealistic, but she has her work cut out facing Velma Von Tussle, the producer of the Corny Collins show, as well as the Baltimore police. But with the help of her friends, her love interest and teen dream Link Larkin, and her indomitable parents Edna and Wilbur, Tracy might just do it.

Hairspray is a joy from start to finish, with those stunning, life affirming songs that quite literally raise the roof. From the opening strains of ‘Good Morning Baltimore’ complete with its tribute to the local flasher and town weirdos, you know that this is a musical with its tongue firmly in cheek. The songs parody 1960’s teen anthems and chart hits, and there’s even a bit of swing in the wonderful ‘You’re timeless to me ‘ performed by Wilbur and Edna with just the right amount of knowing comedy. There is also an incredibly beautiful and powerful anthem in ‘I know where I’ve been’ performed exquisitely by the sublime stand in Motormouth Maybelle (Sasha Monique), bringing a real lump to my throat and a tear to my eye.

The cast is perfect. Katie Brace is wonderful as Tracy, a sassy star performer who performs all her numbers with verve and humour. Solomon Davy is great foil as the teen dream Link Larkin, sending up the heart-throb label in real style. Freya McMahon is hilarious as Tracy’s best friend Penny, deliciously dumb and pliable, with so many funny one liners, whilst the incredible Reece Richards as Seaweed steals every scene he is in with a charismatic, athletic performance. His lithe dancing is a joy to behold. A special mention must also go to the super talented, star in waiting, Katlo, as Little Inez, who performs like a dream, a real bundle of talent.

The adult roles are also wonderfully played. The Edna Turnblad character is famously played by a man since the days of Divine, and Neil Hurst is a wonder in the role, so warm you laugh at his humour, rather than at the character, and totally fall in love with his Edna. Wilbur, played by Dermot Canavan has great chemistry with Hurst, and their duet, ‘You’re timeless to me’ is a gorgeously poignant, yet funny, ode to love and one of the nights high points. Former Strictly star Joanne Clifton is proving to be a real theatre find, and has a ball as the wonderfully bitchy Velma Von Tussle, playing the role as a sort of wicked queen bitch, whilst the voice of Sasha Monique steals both hearts and minds as Motormouth Maybelle.

Hairspray is one of the greatest modern musicals, fun, bright and beautiful and full of heart.  You leave the theatre singing and dancing and knowing you have been truly entertained.

‘You can’t stop the beat’ – why even try when it’s this wonderful!

Tue 4 Feb – Sat 8 Feb.

Click here for ticket information and other shows.

 

 

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