Grand Opera House York – until Saturday 21st July 2018.
Reviewed by Michelle Richardson
5*****
For me and my son this is “our” film, the 2007 one that is, though I thoroughly enjoyed the previous, 1988 version. So, when I first found out that Hairspray was coming to York I couldn’t wait. Unfortunately for my son he was unable to attend because he’s travelling around Europe, lucky thing. Would it live up to my expectations, or would it be a huge disappointment?
It’s 1962 in Baltimore, where racial segregation is the norm. Tracy Turnblad (Rosie O’Hare) is a big girl with big hair, who dreams of dancing on national TV on the Corny Collins Show and swoons over heartthrob Link Larkin (Dan Partridge). After skipping school she manages to audition, much to the disgust of the thinner girls and Velma Von Tussle (Lucinda Lawrence), producer of said show, who rejects her because of her size. Undeterred she overcomes the hostility, winning over Corny Collins (John Tsouras) to become one of the dancers, using her new found fame to fight for equality for all in a time of racial segregation.
The set and costumes, designed by Takis, were colourful, garish and indicative of the 1960’s. The streets of Baltimore, Tracy’s house, TV studio and not forgetting the jailhouse, changed seamlessly throughout.
The whole cast were really very good, superb in fact. When you thought that the singing could not get any better, someone else would step up and wow you all over again. A highlight is Brenda Edwards as Motormouth Maybelle singing I Know Where I’ve Been, outstanding. The choreography, by Drew McOnie, was non stop and full of high energy, delivered by great performers.
I loved the relationship between Edna (Matt Rixon) and Wilbur (Graham MacDuff), Tracy’s parents. During one scene there was a prop malfunction and they both ad-libbed superbly and had us all in stitches. They carried on this amazing rapport to the end, occasionally succumbing to a fit of giggles themselves, brilliant!
My only real criticisms were that O’Hare had the need to wear a fat suit, I was disappointed with that, and that Tracy and Link did not show enough chemistry together, but O’Hare and Partridge have both recently taken on the roles and this may change over time. These things did not detract at all from this feelgood show.
By the end of the night the cast had a standing ovation and the majority of the audience were up on their feet dancing and singing along, I needed no encouragement on that part.
It was such a fun, energetic show, where everyone shone, with some powerful moral messages. I loved it, certainly lived up to my expectations and I left on such a high. Now where is my dvd?
You can’t stop the beat, so get on down to the Grand Opera House whilst you can, you will not be disappointed.