Aylesbury Waterside – until the Saturday 22nd February 2025
Reviewed by Rachel Clark
5*****
Hairspray the UK tour – this is based on the New Line Cinema Written and directed by John Waters – an American film director, artist and writer. Music by Marc Shaiman and he also did the Lyrics alongside Scott Wittman. The show has a live band which played faultlessly – you can’t beat live music.
Hairspray in based in Baltimore in the 1960’s. Tracy Turnblad (played by Katie Brace. Brace played the part in the UK tour 2021-22. She was brilliant – word perfect and a fun character) is a teenager who loves dancing and watching The Corny Collins Show. Tracy would love nothing more than to be on the show.
Tracy lives with her Mum Edna (played brilliantly by Neil Hurst who uses his voice to enhance the part from a high itched female to a deep toned male voice along with his 54 double E bust! Hurst has lots of credits for theatre, concert theatre, television and many more ), her mum takes in washing and her Dad Wilbur who owns a joke shop and has plenty of wit and one liners in the show. Wilbur is played by Dermot Canavan, who has numerous credits for TV, theatre and films. Tracy has a best friend Penny Pingleton, who looks a typical schoolgirl with plaits. Freya McMahon plays Penny in her debut show; she was superb, and at the end of the show blossoms into a beautiful young lady.
After watching The Corny Collins Show, Tracy sees they are looking for a new dancer so she shows up for an audition, but is mocked for being plump. Another girl turns up who is black and is also passed over. The show is known for its slim, white dancers.
But, Tracy get the part for being different thanks to the Compere (Delcan Egan) with his shiny white teeth , smile and bright jackets. The show has plenty of colour on the clothes and numerous wigs!.
Tracy becomes an overnight success, a trendsetter with her hairstyle, dance and fun and in her spare time she enjoys also dancing at Motormouth Maybelle’s where she dances with the black society. Tracy doesn’t see why they can’t dance on the show, it’s for all and plots a plan, as they can only currently dance on ‘Negro Day’
I will say the voice of Motormouth Maybelle (Michelle Ndegwa) was amazing, she gave you goosebumps, I am not surprised she is a Soul and Gospel singer and has recorded for Gregory Porter, Rita Ora and more.
In the end Tracy gets her man and what she wants, the final act was all the actors on the stage, and it was so colourful with talented singers and dancers. The stage was full and all gave a sensational performance for us all to enjoy. Despite being a Monday the theatre was heaving and such a buzz, all different age groups just wanting the fun of the show with great songs, even if you haven’t seen the film or show before there will be at least one song you will know.
The show does have a story line that includes integration, and that we should accept all and respect.
I am not surprised they got a standing ovation. Another great show at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre not to be missed.