Nottingham Theatre Royal – until Saturday 9 November 2024
Reviewed by Amy V Gathercole
4****
“Full of big songs, memorable moments and even bigger hairstyles! – Hairspray is always a favourite, and this new production remains big, bold, and beautiful”
Hairspray is a show that, on the surface, is purely joyful and full of happy moments with wonderful songs. However, if you delve a little deeper, the lyrics take on a different meaning, full of important messages and warnings about a time and situation full of hurt and harm.
The much-loved musical is based on the 1988 John Waters’s cult classic film, inspired by real-life events in Baltimore on The Buddy Deane Show. It’s inspirational and imaginative and set in the swinging 1960s, a time when everything was changing, new mindsets were developing, but not everyone was listening. Sadly, some of these themes are still relevant in today’s world, hence the importance of this show.
We meet our heroine, Tracy Turnblad (Alexandra Emmerson-Kirby) at the start of the show with a fast-paced and memorable number with Good Morning Baltimore, as she introduces herself, her city, and her dreams to the audience. She dreams of one big happy world where segregation isn’t an issue, of dancing on The Corny Collins Show and of course, of the boy of her dreams – Link Larkin (Olly Manley). Alexandra gives a wonderful performance and really embraces the energy, passions and intelligence of Tracy and her vocals are very impressive!
You can’t help but fall in love with every member of the Turnblad family. It’s such a wholesome one, full of support, love, and, most importantly, love. The role of Tracy’s mum Edna (Neil Hurst), is all encompassing. Many people have famously played the iconic role in drag, and Neil was brilliant with his comedic timing and his ability to ad-lib too. It’s an important role as, following her daughter’s success, she finally feels seen and is reminded of her own dreams and that it’s never too late to go after them.
Stuart Hickey plays Tracy’s joke-loving and supportive dad. The “You’re Timeless to Me” duet with Edna is a highlight of the show, combining comedy with heart. Nina Bell as Tracy’s devoted friend Penny and her beau Seaweed (Jaiden Lodge) round out the gang of friends as they fight for what’s right.
Velma Van Tussle (Kirsty Sparks) is a villain role that, for me is very similar to a classic Disney villain. She refuses to change, listen, and make a positive difference in her privileged position.
Sparks plays her convincingly and almost made me want to shout “booooo” at the stage! As the producer of The Corny Collins Show, she’s the rich white lady with all the power and really makes you believe in her hatred of integration, which she tries to impress upon to her mini-me daughter, Amber von Tussle (Issie Wilman).
Brenda Edwards and Paul Kerryson have co-directed this 2024/25 tour. Brenda was once discovered in a talent search herself on X-Factor—just like Tracy in the show’s plot. So it’s all come full circle for her as she swaps on stage as Motormouth Maybelle for being hands on as a director.
The current actress playing the very important role of Motormouth Maybelle, Michelle Ndegwa, gives a stand-out performance. She was discovered for this role in a nationwide talent search, and this is her professional theatre debut. When she performs “I Know Where I’ve Been” there are goosebumps. What an impressive vocal she has and with most of her lines in the script rhyming, it just flows beautifully.
The set combines physical and interchangeable physical pieces mixed with projections throughout successfully in a blended design by Takis. It takes a more modern direction with the number of locations that feature and allows for some very quick set changes to keep up with the fast-paced dance numbers and action of the show
Hairspray is visiting over 33 theatres on this UK tour, over 2024 and into 2025 – you can find your nearest theatre here: Hairspray UK Tour