Hairspray brings a touch of the sixties to Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury this week and you know this timeless show has feel good factor all over it.
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. When Tracy 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? Her confidence is boundless and it helps guide her through some difficult times. Tracy is played by Katie Brace and she is a star. 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 but I also love it when he uses his ‘man’ voice for the odd line. 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. Ring-a-ding-ding!
Motormouth Maybelle is played by Michelle Ndegwa. This woman has soul pouring out of her. She is beyond cool and plays Maybelle so well, I wanted to hang out with her. Her version of ‘I know where I’ve been’ was very emotional. The backdrop has an image of Martin Luther King with names of black people fighting for equal rights such as Rosa Parks and Malcolm X. It’s such a powerful reminder of the message in the show and sadly a reminder that racism is still an issue which is what makes this song so poignant.
Joanne Clifton plays Velma Von Tussle. Joanne brings class and poise to the role, which isn’t an easy role to play as Velma isn’t a nice person. Joanne has a fantastic voice and those who haven’t seen her on stage before may not know she is a triple threat. Joanne delivered Velma impeccably.
As this is one of my favourite musicals, I’ve seen it many times but this cast are flawless and deliver in every song and dance to perfection. This show boasts some fabulous songs including Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now, Welcome To The 60s, Big Blonde and Beautiful, Good Morning Baltimore and of course Can’t Stop The Beat you will be dancing in the aisles.
In this big, beautiful show you can feel the energy and positivity and will leave the theatre singing and dancing on your way home. Why? Because we all know, you can’t stop the beat!
Hairspray is at Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury until 22 February 2025.
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