Last night, I had the pleasure of watching Hairspray the musical at Milton Keynes theatre (directed by Paul Kerryson). WOW! I was blown away! It was big, bold and beautiful! I first saw the show ten years ago, so I knew it was going to be great. It was incredible, and I left the theatre feeling extremely happy and uplifted! The audience members were buzzing as they were leaving the theatre. The atmosphere was lovely to see.

 

Hairspray is a joyous, upbeat and energetic celebration of individuality and fighting for what’s right. The cast is bursting with energy, and the iconic song “You Can’t Stop the Beat” will have you dancing in your seat.

 

From the moment the curtain rises, you’re transported to 1960s Baltimore, where big hair, catchy tunes, and the dream of dancing on TV reign supreme. Tracy Turnblad, a lovable teen with a passion for dance and a heart full of hope is determined to break down the barriers, both on the dance floor and in society, and her journey is nothing short of inspiring. The entire cast shines, with strong vocals and infectious enthusiasm that brings the story to life.

 

 

The set is designed to enable the scenes to flow easily throughout the show, transporting the audience from the TV set to the homes of the Turnblad’s and Pingeton’s. It was very clever how the two homes glide onto the stage! The band, directed by the very talented Richard Atkinson were placed at the back of the stage, raised on a high platform, where the audience could just about see them, it worked really well!

 

Katie Brace shines as Tracy, capturing her infectious optimism and bold spirit with every step. Her powerhouse vocals will blow you away, especially during showstoppers like “Good Morning Baltimore” and “I Can Hear the Bells.” From the moment she started singing the opening song, I knew she was going to steal the show!

 

I also need to give a special mention to Michelle Ndegwa as Motormouth Maybelle, who was a standout performance for me, she delivers a soulful performance that will give you goosebumps. The applause she received echoed her performance (I even saw a few members of the audience stand up). She is a soul and gospel singer, and this is her theatre debut. She blew the audience away with her vocals!

 

The chemistry between Tracy and her parents, played by the hilarious duo of Neil Hurst (who plays Edna Turnblad) and Dermot Canavan (who plays Wilbur Turnblad), is comedic gold. Their scenes together are filled with laughter and warmth, reminding us of the importance of family support and self-acceptance.

 

 

The entire cast were extremely talented, the energy, vocals and dancing were all standout performances. Link Larkin played by Solomon Davy, Little Nez played by Katlo, Corny Collins played by Declan Egan and Seaweed played by Reece Richards were also exceptional performances for me! I loved the show, and I would go watch it again and again!

 

Whether you’re a fan of the film or new to the story, Hairspray is guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face and a spring in your step. Don’t miss it!