Hairspray The Musical – A Permanent Fixture

Judging from the capacity audiences that Hairspray seemingly attracts, it would be hard to dispute that this Shaiman Whittman musical is now a permanent favourite on the annual theatrical calendar.

It is bubbly, joyous and does what most hit shows do…..sends you home humming a tune that you just can’t get out of your head, in this case You Can’t Stop The Beat.

Colourful, corny and more fun than a Willy Wonka bubble gum machine, Hairspray has been around since 2002 and grows in popularity with each passing year.

But, beneath its vibrant colours, OTT personalities and sheer youthful energy, there is a sinister undercurrent, for the musical was inspired by an original 1988 John Waters film with a far more serious theme.

Back in the 1960’s Baltimore’s home grown ‘The Buddy Deane Show’, presented by its namesake and leading DJ of the time, was a six-nights a week dance show featuring local schoolkids, including many regulars who became stars in their own right.

But it was racked in prejudice; whites only with only the occasional appearance of blacks on special Negro days, prompting Waters to tell the bigger story of the 1963 TV ‘stage invasion’ when black and white kids controversially danced together, resulting in the show’s subsequent cancellation.

Tracy Turnblad is the luckless stage teen who auditions to win her place in the evening team of performers on The Corny Collins Show, the fictional version of Buddy Deane’s weekly programme.

Rebecca Mendoza as Tracy gave a sterling performance but will grow in confidence and stage presence as she theatrically matures; Freya Sutton in the same role was a hard act to follow.

But I loved some of the cameos, cheesy Jon Tsouras as Corny Collins, more teeth than a crocodile and slicker than a Texan oil rigger, the powerful voice of Brenda Edwards as Motormouth Maybelle and Layton ‘the elastic band’ Williams as Seaweed. There were so many strong cameos; well done all.

This is a vibrant show and always worth a look. On the one hand you can simply close your morality antennae and enjoy a show that is crammed with fun, colour and great tunes, or you can enjoy all of that whilst realising that it has a much deeper meaning, urging all of us to be a bit kinder to our fellowmen, and women, whether they are black, white, fat or thin.

A great evening and one for the family.

Hairspray
Bradford Alhambra
Until Saturday 25 November 2017