Saturday, December 6

Tag: Michelle Ndegwa

Hairspray – Wolverhampton Grand
West Midlands

Hairspray – Wolverhampton Grand

“Hairspray” explodes onto the stage of the Wolverhampton Grand with all the vigour, vibrancy and verve one has come to expect and does exactly what it says on the spray tin. It’s a wild effusion of fun and frolics expertly delivered and tempered with a sobering seam of politics of racial segregation. John Water’s originally movie strutted out of the celluloid closet way back in 1988 featuring the grotesque drag artist Divine in the mother role creating a cult sensation. The tradition of casting a male in the female role continues today and it’s an interesting decision in the air of the shifting notions of identity and genre which have emerged since the show's inception especially in a country which already has a long tradition of the dame. However, Neil Hurst is a natural in the role and m...
Hairspray – Bradford Alhambra
Yorkshire & Humber

Hairspray – Bradford Alhambra

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 cre...
Hairspray – Hull New Theatre
Yorkshire & Humber

Hairspray – Hull New Theatre

Hull New Theatre was packed to the rafters on Monday evening, in anticipation of watching Hairspray - “the hilarious, joyous and most inspiring musical of all” according to the press release. Did it live up that that description? You bet. I loved every madcap minute. It’s 1962 America - Baltimore to be exact - and teen schoolgirl Tracy Turnblad (Katie Brace) is desperate to appear on her favourite TV programme, The Corny Collins Show. Corny (Joseph Bristow), invites teens to show off their dancing skills, but racial segregation is prevalent in America at that time, so all of the dancers are “white”, with a “negro” night being held every so often. Corny’s show is sponsored by a hairspray company, and Tracy’s ears prick up when she hears of a competition for a Miss Teenage Hairsp...
Hairspray – Palace Theatre
North West

Hairspray – Palace Theatre

Hairspray at the Palace Theatre in Manchester is an absolute delight and easily one of the best feel-good musical experiences. Watching live from the theatre, I couldn’t help but find myself unconsciously joining in with the choreography, swept up in the infectious energy of the performance. The show brilliantly captures the essence of Hairspray, bringing its vibrant characters and catchy tunes to life. The cast is exceptional, delivering standout performances that are both heartfelt and exhilarating. The exuberance and passion they bring to their roles are palpable, making it impossible not to get caught up in the excitement. A highlight of the show was the spectacular performance of "You Can't Stop the Beat." This number was a true showstopper, filled with energy and joy that had t...