Curtains open to reveal Tracy Turnblad (Katie Brace) in bed then bouncing into the first rip-roaring company number, "Good Morning Baltimore". The story unfolds showing how she, with other kids, adore The Corny Collins Show starring Link Larkin (Solomon Davy). Her dream is to become a national TV dance star and win Link’s heart. She goes to audition with her best friend Penny (Freya McMahon) but is rejected by Velma (Joanne Clifton), the station manager, due to her size and racial tolerance.
While her father Wilmer (Dermot Canavan) supports her, mother Edna (Neil Hurst) is mortified. Undeterred, she meets Seaweed (Reece Richards) in detention who teaches her several moves and introduces her to his mother, Motormouth Maybelle (Michelle Ndegwa), the local R&B disc jockey, “we can’t get lazy when things get crazy”, and the revolt begins.
Tracy’s success enables her to fight for liberation, tolerance and interracial unity in Baltimore. Romance, demonstrations, prison, deception and intrigue follow. As in all good stories, Velma and her daughter Amber (Allana Taylor) get their desserts, and right triumphs in the end. There is also humour, such as a wonderful duet scene between Hurst and Canavan which one wanted to go on forever, and excellent plotting by directors Paul Kerrybon and Brenda Edwards as in the number with the trio of mothers and daughters.
Hairspray became a musical romantic comedy film based on the 2002 Broadway musical, which in turn was based on John Waters's 1988 comedy film. It broke box office records and has delighted audiences in the West End, on Broadway and on the big screen since 1988, a timeless story. It premièred on July 2007 and released in the United Kingdom and the United States. The film was met with critical acclaim and was a financial success, breaking the record for the highest-grossing opening weekend for a movie musical, which it held until July 2008.
Big, bright, bold and beautiful, not just because it has a vibrant talented cast, 25 strong, who sing and dance their hearts out, an eight-strong live band, magnificent array of colourful costumes, wondrous wigs (Craig Forrest-Thomas) and superbly designed set (Tarkis), ingenious location changes, all enhanced by beautiful lighting (Philip Gladwell) and projection (George Reeve), but because it has heart.
Happy helter-skelter show, full of hope and happiness, non-stop magical music, constant choreography (Drew McOnie) super singing, sparkle, laughs, right triumphing and more. One can see why this show has been treading the boards touring for over 20 years, it is one of the most joyous, feel-good shows I have seen for a long time; superlatives elude me. You could feel the beat in the standing clapping happy audience during the final number "You Can’t Stop The Beat".
If you are in need of a pickup, this is the show for you. I defy you to leave without a grin on your face. Happy happy Hairspray, a winner.