Hairspray is one of those rare musicals that can happily combine big, breezy show tunes with a clear political message, but still easily fill big theatres like this.
It’s 1962, Tracy Turnblad is a plus size teenager with an enormous beehive living in racially segregated Baltimore, who has a dream of becoming a star of the Corny Collins TV dance show despite limited talent, which certainly feels familiar in our reality TV obsessed world. Along the way Tracy who is mocked by the ‘cool’ white teens finds she has much in common with her black friends, and leads an assault on Corny’s show to try and unite the races through the medium of song and dance.
Hairspray was the creation of transgressive cult filmmaker John Waters who brought together a gang of misfits in his home city to create a plea for racial tolerance, but also acceptance of just being different. In that movie Tracy’s mum Edna was played by the late great drag artist Divine, so that tradition is carried on by the charming Neil Hurst who dons the fat suit, and clearly relishes a role to die for.
If you want to ignore the messages you might be at the wrong show, but if so then the sly pastiches of early sixties bubble gum pop hits penned by Tony winner Marc Shaiman come thick and fast with 12 in the first act alone. Good Morning Baltimore is a fantastic opener and Mama, I’m a Big Girl performed by Tracey, her best mate Penny and loathsome teen bully Amber Von Tussle is a joy.
There is something really moving seeing the names of civil rights heroes who fought racism in living memory projected onto the big screen that is the heart of Takis’ basic set during a rousing I Know Where I’ve Been. Closing number, You Can’t Stop The Beat, is one of the of the all time great closing numbers as the whole cast make the most of Drew McOnie’s sixties inspired choreography backed by a great band
Katie Brace is a powerhouse singer, but her Tracy cleverly mines her character’s innocence and outsider status, bouncing off confident newcomer Freya McMahon as Penny. Soloman Davy also impresses as hunk with a heart Link Larkin, and the athletic Shemar Jarrett is the pick of a very strong ensemble as Seaweed.
Strictly star Joanne Clifton adds despicable TV producer Velma Von Tussle to her impressive musical theatre CV having great fun as the show’s villain, and Gorillaz vocalist Michelle Ndegwa is another impressive debutant as Motormouth Maybelle, who teaches the kids about the harsh realities of segregation. Neil Hurst brings all his panto experience, alongside another stage veteran Dermot Canavan as Wilbur Turnblad, as they ad lib and corpse their way through a sensational You’re Timeless To Me.
Musical theatre is often about outsiders, but in a world where othering is raising its ugly head once more then a show like Hairspray full of heart and great tunes celebrating being different is a powerful antidote to hatred.
Hairspray is at Bradford Alhambra until Saturday 30 November. To book www.bradford-theatres.co.uk or 01274432000.
Reviewer: Paul Clarke
Reviewed: 25th November 2024
North West End UK Rating:
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