Good Morning...Milton Keynes. No, we are not in Baltimore and its not 1962, but we could be forgiven for thinking so as Hairspray hits Milton Keynes Theatre and will have you dancing to the beat. Because we all know, you can’t stop the beat!
Hairspray is one of my favourite shows. It’s in my top five and rightly deserves that accolade. You cannot help but love Tracy Turnblad’s enthusiasm and positive attitude. The show deals with difficult subjects such as racism and bullying fat girls. How a young teenage girl overcomes all the discrimination around her is truly inspirational.
Its 1962 in Baltimore and Tracy’s mum doesn’t really understand her obsession with music and especially the Corny Collins Show. Now I am too young to have known 1962 but I can totally appreciate that from a Top Of The Pops perspective. When she hears the show is looking for a new dancer, Tracy decides to apply, she has never let her size stop her before so why should it now? Tracy is played by Katie Brace and she is a star. Her innocence yet pushing the boundaries is a perfect balance of how Tracy should be. Katie gives a faultless performance with her powerhouse of a voice.
Her mother Edna, is traditionally played by a man and Neil Hurst absolutely nails it as Edna. Neil hones his inner motherly instincts and has completely embodied this role. Neil is the most feminine Edna I have seen and is very funny. Edna’s husband, Wilbur is played by Dermot Canavan who was excellent in the role. The classic Edna and Wilbur number ‘You’re timeless to me’ always goes down well with the audience and Neil and Dermot have the best comic timing. This is one of my favourite elements in the show.
Motormouth Maybelle is played by Michelle Ndegwa. This woman has soul and her version of ‘I know where I’ve been’ was very emotional. The backdrop had names of black people fighting for equal rights such as Rosa Parks and Malcolm X with an image of Martin Luther King. It was so powerful. 1962 was over 60 years ago but sadly racism is still a current issue which makes this song so poignant.
As this is one of my favourite musicals, I have seen Hairspray a lot! But this production allows time for every joke. It’s honed to perfection and it’s fabulous in every song, outfit and dance. I just love, love, love it. Also, I am not sure if I am imagining it but this show, Tracy’s hair seems even bigger than previous incarcerations of the show. No wonder she needs hairspray!
This show boasts a hugely talented cast and with songs like Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now, Welcome To The 60s, Big Blonde and Beautiful and of course Can’t Stop The Beat you will be dancing in the aisles.
This big, beautiful show may deal with discrimination, but it also has a huge feel-good factor. You can feel the energy and positivity and will leave the theatre singing and dancing on your way home.
Hairspray is at Milton Keynes Theatre until 7 September 2024
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