Reviewed by Matt Forrest
Opening Night verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Based on the 1988 cult classic by John Waters, which featured Rikki Lake and Debbie Harry, Hairspray transports us to 1960’s Baltimore focusing on the Turnblad family, who are the living embodiment of the American dream: a happy family, with both parents running and owning their own business, and a child who dreams she can be anything she wants.
In 2002 writers Mark O’Dohnell and Thomas Meehan took to adapting Hairspray for Broadway, which led to a West End run, several UK tours and even a glitzy Hollywood remake starring John Travolta and Queen Latifah.
Right from the opening number, Good Morning Baltimore, we are treated to a snapshot of what life is like across America in 1962, with racial inequality sadly rife. Our guide on this journey is high school misfit Tracy Turnblad (Alexandra Emmerson-Kirby) constantly at odds with the school authorities due to her massive hairdo!
Tracy has dreams of being a TV star, with her only insight into this world coming in the form of popular teen magazine show, “The Corny Collins Show”, a music and dance show catering for the tennagers of Balitmore, evening boasting of “Negro Day”.
Soon fate intervenes for Tracy, after befriending Seaweed (Reece Richards), a black dancer on the show, who teaches Tracy some killer dance moves which help her to land a part of her favourite show. Here she meets her crush, teen heartthrob, Link Larkin (Solomon Davy). Tracy becomes an instant hit with the audience, however not everyone is pleased about the new TV sensation with, the show’s bitchy producer, Velma Von Tussle (Gina Murray), and her dim daughter Amber Von Tussle (Allana Taylor), doing everything in their power to halt Tracy’s meteoric rise in popularity.
There is so much to admire about this production, from its messages about body positivity and its strong core themes of tackling prejudice and bigotry head on. Packed full of catchy tunes including the delightful Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now, and the huge, joyous finale You Can’t Stop the Beat.
The production is littered with great performances, with newcomer Alexandra Emmerson-Kirby giving a star making debut as Tracy. Equally impressive is Freya McMahon as Tracy’s best friend Penny Pingleton, again on debut, with both showcasing superb comic timing and great vocals.
Gina Murray is deliciously devious as the vile Velma Von Tussle, played with no redeeming qualities whatsoever, yet still a captivating watch. Whilst Allana Taylor, as daughter Amber, equally as hideous as her mother, who’s little comic touches are a treat to watch.
Reece Richards, gets to showcase some excellent dance moves throughout, spearheading Drew Mconie’s excellent choreography. The choreography throughout is bang on point, all the more impressive from the huge ensemble cast. Full of energy and vibrancy it really is the heartbeat of the show.
For me the show’s standout moment was the comedic yet beautifully touching duet between Tracy’s parents Edna (Neil Hurst) and Wilbur (Dermot Canavan) on the song, You’re Timeless to Me. The pair have great chemistry with one another, occasionally breaking into the odd unscripted aside, making it all the more special.
My only wish was that more thought was given to the staging and set. The costumes all look fabulous, but their staging and set design are somewhat lacking and don’t represent the high production values the rest of the production has.
Tackling weighty issues, such as equality and acceptance, whilst shining a light on the struggle of the Civil Rights Movement and the importance of plus sized role models appearing in the mainstream media, Hairspray is a constant joy from start to finish, and a great reminder that theatre can tackle and address some of the biggest challenges we face, but also have a lot of fun at the same time!
Hairspray is on at Manchester’s Palace Theatre till 27th July tickets are available here.
Opening Night 