Theatre Royal, Nottingham – until 16 October 2021
Reviewed by Boo Wakefield
5*****
It’s not often that you are in a theatre where absolutely everyone in the audience is genuinely totally captivated by a production and last night was one of those exceptional evenings. Nottingham was treated to an amazing performance of Hairspray and showed its appreciation with a long standing ovation. Filled with all the songs you would expect from this top class production ( “Good Morning Baltimore”, “You Can’t Stop The Beat”, “Without Love” to name a few), it entertained you, moved you, and definitely had you singing along.
Hairspray, set in the late 60’s when colour segregation was still part of life, follows the story of Tracy, a larger-than-life school girl. She wins a competition to dance on the TV show which only allows white teenagers to dance except once a month when coloured teenagers were allowed to dance at the back of the studio. Tracy can’t abide this and she uses her new-found fame to fight against racial integration and promote tolerance and solidarity between the white and black community. Even though Hairspray was written for the 60’s, its story of racial equality and acceptance of all colours seems even more apt for our current times.
Originally written by Mark O’Donnel and Thomas Meehan, this production has a never-ending supply of seamless dance routines (choreographed by Drew McOnie) and toe-tapping music (directed by Ben Atkinson). The set is simple – two side sets slide onto the stage when needed but otherwise the stage is mainly left empty to allow the full cast room to dance through their numbers. The Ensemble danced and sang with energy and really complimented the main storyline and characters.
Making her professional debut, Katie Brace must be applauded for her excellent part as Tracy Turnblad. She comes across as confident and enthusiastic in this role which allows her little time to catch breath throughout the show.
But it’s the comedy in so much of the show that really holds it together. The duet between Edna Turnblad (Alex Bourne) and Wilbur Turnblad (Norman Pace) singing “You’re Timeless To Me” almost stole the show – their comic timing and innuendo’s were priceless but also moving.
Brenda Edward’s Motormouth Maybelle’s rendition of “Big, Blonde And Beautiful” was outstanding. Edward’s ability to sing with such a range of emotion from its quiet start to glorious crescendo was a joy, a real spine-tingling moment.
Rebecca Jayne-Davies part as Penny Pingleton, Tracy’s best friend, was endearing. Jayne-Davies played her as a gawky teenager who has no idea how to dance which could have distracted from the rest of the energetic dance routines but she manages to pitch it just right.
This is the breath of fresh air we all need at the moment. If you have the chance to see this production of Hairspray, then do. Its’ an absolute winner!