Festival Theatre, Malvern – until 8th March 2025
Reviewed by Courie Amado Juneau
5*****
Hairspray came to Malvern with a large reputation. Originally an 80’s film, it was adapted for the stage soon after and has never looked back. After tonight I’ve certainly fallen in love with it!
The story involves Tracy Turnblad auditioning to be a dancer on her favourite TV show, only to be turned away cruelly due to her size. She soon befriends fellow school detention recipient Seaweed and discovers that he’s a dancer on a rival show. She gets the idea to dance on that rival show but with her being white and he being black, and the times being what they were, the road won’t be easy…
Katie Brace (as lead Tracy) was superb and joyfully carried the entire production along on a frothy, tuneful tsunami! All the cast were equally magnificent and I do mean all of them! With singing, dancing and playing multiple dramatic roles it’s a spectacle in the true sense of the word. So, what to say, with so much talent on show in all departments and a limited word count? Joanne Clifton (arguably the marquee name) was wonderfully hissable as villain of the piece Velma Von Tussle, but it does come down to a special mention for the big, emotional, numbers which blew the roof off the place.
The first half was superb, the second superber! Neil Hurst (as Edna) and Dermot Canavan (Wilbur), as Tracy’s parents, duet on “You’re Timeless To Me” was the absolute highlight of the evening. With perfect chemistry between the actors and some wonderfully (gently) saucy ad-libbing off script, this song was sheer perfection. Worth coming out for that song alone. Even so, Penny (played by Freya McMahon) was my favourite character – brought to 3d life with gusto and aplomb in (incredibly) her professional debut! If this is anything go by I look forward to seeing her again for many years and in many productions!
“I Know Where I’ve Been” sung by Michelle Ndegwa (Motormouth Maybelle) was another sensational number – this time for the power of it’s message as much as the power of Michelle’s voice. A message we can all get behind. Putting up photos of actual civil rights heroes like Martin Luther King gave added impact to the numbers. The other vital message for our time, acceptance and celebration of ourselves in all our “imperfect ” (in societal eyes) glory; is also worth hammering home time and again.
The songbook (music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by the same and Scott Wittman) is a shining example of that 60’s jaunty golden era, perfectly capturing that blend of dance-hop-pop and emergence of Motown just as the Beatles were about to level everything in their path. The dancing is to die for, the costumes are amazing… it’s hard to explain just how much fun this show is. It’s like having a fine meal in your favourite restaurant with 3 puddings!
This touring production really pulled out all the stops, did the show full justice and the standing ovation they received was richly deserved. One of the best things I’ve seen (on many levels), I’m now a massive fan and encourage everyone to rush to get several tickets asap.