Hairspray – Sheffield Lyceum

It’s Welcome to the 60’s as Hairspray sprays the Sheffield Lyceum this week and You Can’t stop the Beat with this high energy, high octave musical. With the original screenplay by John Waters and the Musical Productions book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, the composer and co-lyricist Marc Shaiman and lyricist Scott Wittman collectively created a modern day classic – with all the ingredients to give Hairspray the longevity and wide spread appeal is deserves. Under the direction of Paul Kerryson and Brenda Edwards with top notch choreography by Drew Mconie this current UK tour easily equals, and I think surpassed its predecessor. With minimum set (Takis) and lavish caricatured costume the vast stage of the Lyceum is filled with an incredible cast which has a heart as big as its storyline.

The story of acceptance and inclusion verses rejection and exclusion during the early days of the Civil Rights movement in America. Based in Baltimore the overweight social outcast Tracy Turnblad is propelled to sudden stardom as she gets the chance to dance on the ‘Corny Collins Show’. But Tracy must use her new found power to oust the reigning teen queen Amber Von Tussle, win the affection of the shows heartthrob Link Larkin and integrate a TV network and all this without denting her ratted hair do! Let the New Girl in Town become the Nicest Kid in Town.

The set mainly consists of unobtrusive backdrops with tokenistic furniture to create the locations of Tracy’s home, Penny’s home, Motormouth Maybelle’s Record store, the school and a prison cell! This perfectly allows the characters to take centre stage, and every cast member does exactly that. The band is paramount to the ambience, and they produce a beautiful mood enhancing sound, Ben Atkinson as Musical Supervisor and Arranger does a stellar job, as does Ben Harrison as Sound Designer. Philip Gladwell’s lighting design is as bold as the costumes at times and adds to the illusion of ‘larger than life’. There really isn’t a weak link in this production.

The previous UK tour’s (2021-2022) Tracy Turnblad and returning to the role, Katie Brace just gets better and better, her performance is just the right mix of comedy and heart with a big singing voice to match. Brace is a delight in role. Joanne Clifton makes a deliciously evil Velma Von Tussle and her powerhouse rendition of Miss Baltimore Crabs is made all the more entertaining by her obvious dance ability. Sasha Monique took the role of Motormouth Maybelle on the night we saw the show, she has a great vocal and her – I Know Where I’ve Been – was a highlight that brought raptures from the audience. Neil Hurst’s Edna Turnblad and Dermot Canavan’s Wilbur made a wonderful comedy pairing, never forced but always in control I was very impressed at the ease of this pairing. Hurst’s bass notes were bliss! As always, the scripted adlibs in – You’re Timeless to Me, brought much laughter from the Sheffield audience. Olly Manley’s Link Larkin and Shemar Jarrett’s Seaweed were both strong in role and danced and sang well. One character that is often overlooked is Corny Collins himself however, Declan Egan doesn’t allow that! An exceptional performance – polished and commanding. Katlo’s Little Inez was another towering performance. As a collective this cast sounded wonderful as an ensemble and although there was a Dynamite missing at the performance the other two (Grace Anyiam and Vanessa Dumatey) covered this flawlessly. All in all an exceptional cast!

This production of Hairspray is everything you need for a wonderful night of theatre – the performers, the heart, the laughter, the comedy, the music, and the message – the inclusion and acceptance – we can all make a change if we fight for it and let love into our hearts. Hairspray is bigger and better and the hottest ticket in town, showing at the Sheffield Lyceum until 19^th October 2024. So, whether you’re Big, Blonde and Beautiful or small, bald and handsome – no one cares – get yourself to the best party this side of the Pennines before it’s too late! 

Reviewed: Tracey Bell

Reviewed: 15th October 2024

North West End UK Rating: