Curve Theatre Leicester – until 28th September 2024
Reviewed by Amarjeet Singh
4****
Set in 1962 in Baltimore, Hairspray opens with a rousing number introducing you to the racial segregation of its time. Tracy Turnblad is a bubbly, excitable and exceptionally talented teenager who decides to audition for The Corny Collins Show along with her best friend Penny Pingelton. Tracy catches Corny’s eye, which leads to an opportunity to dance on TV. Falling for hunk and fellow dancer/crooner Link Larkin, Tracy makes an enemy of Amber Von Tussle who is already romantically involved with Link and does not agree with Tracy being not as svelte as the other dancers. Amber’s mother, Velma Von Tussle produces Corny’s programme, and is against people of colour and those of a larger size appearing on the show. Finding herself in detention, Tracy strikes up a friendship with some black students, and she invites them to dance with her on the show, to shake the injustice of black people not being able to dance regularly on the show. This incites a whole host of shenanigans, including jail time, a jail break, a giant can of hairspray and a dance off. Will Tracy and Link make it? Will there be racial and physical harmony?
Alexandra Emmerson-Kirby played a wonderful Tracy Turnblad. She’s bright, bold and her energy is infectious, it’s hard to believe this is her debut run. Supported by the rest of the cast, they are all a delight to watch.
The show is uplifting and features the hits ‘Welcome to the 60s’, ‘Run and Tell That’, and ‘You Can’t Stop the Beat’. The cast belt these out with gusto. Aided by superb choreography from Drew Mconie and brilliant direction from Paul Kerryson and Brenda Edwards, this is a truly feel good show which will have you dancing in the aisles.