Hairspray the musical is back on tour and arrives at Cardiff’s New Theatre this week.
After breaking box office records around the world and delighting audiences since 1988, the smash musical has quite a legacy to uphold. So, does this reboot hit the right notes? Let’s find out…
Firstly, a big thank you to the New Theatre for inviting us along to review. We were really disappointed over the Christmas period when many of the shows that we had tickets for were cancelled. The theatre for us is a big part of those family celebrations, so it’s nice to be back.
For those of you that haven’t heard of or seen Hairspray before, we’ll let you in on a little secret. It’s an American feel-good musical based on John Water’s 1988 film that shares the same name. The musical itself derives from the talented Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, and a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan.
As the name suggests, it’s a musical, and it’s jam-packed full of 1960s-style dance music, rhythm and blues. So if you’re looking to brighten up your week and get your groove on, then look no further.
On stage, you’ll meet the vivacious Tracy Turnblad, the one that’s on all the posters. You know the one that I mean, the one with the big hair, big heart, and dreams to boot. Well Tracy’s big dream is to dance her way onto national TV and into the heart of teen idol Link Larkin.
However, the road to fame is not what it is cracked up to be. Tracy discovers the prejudices of the time and the impact that it has on those around her, and she isn’t immune to some of them herself.
It’s difficult to imagine what is was like to live in America in the 50s and 60s with segregation, but the play really brings the chilling facts to life with photos projected behind the cast as they sing Big Blonde and Beautiful. This is more apparent with Brenda Edwards’ rendition of I know where I’ve been as Ms Motormouth Maybelle. Although things have improved, it does hit home that issues remain to this day and that is quite sad.
Although some things may be hard to hear, you can’t get over the overwhelming electric atmosphere. The incredible music, costumes and shear talent of those on stage will transport you back to the swinging sixties.
When Tracy becomes a local star, she is able to use her newfound fame to fight for liberation, tolerance, and interracial unity in Baltimore. But can she win equality – and Link’s heart – without denting her ‘do? You’ll have to find that out for yourselves.
This production of Hairspray is backed by a very talented cast. Musical theatre star and television presenter Brenda Edwards (Chicago, We Will Rock You, The X Factor, Loose Women and Songs of Praise) stars as Motormouth Maybelle in the UK and Ireland tour of Hairspray. Comedy legend Norman Pace (ITV’s The Hale and Pace Show) plays Wilbur Turnblad alongside West End leading man Alex Bourne (Annie, Mamma Mia!, We Will Rock You) as Edna Turnblad.
Katie Brace makes her professional stage debut as Tracy Turnblad, with Rebecca Thornhill as Velma, Richard Meek as Corny Collins, Ross Clifton as Link Larkin, Jessica Croll as Amber Von Tussle, Rebecca Jane Davies as Penny Pingleton and Charlotte St. Croix as Little Inez.
The full cast includes: Elizabeth Armstrong, Bernadette Bangura, Natalia Brown, Shaquille Brush, Liam Dean, Andrew Dillion, Amanda Elynah, Zoe Heighton, Ceris Hine, Paul Hutton, Jamie Jonathan, Hayley Johnston, Joshua Nkemdilim, Rosie O’Hare, Alexandra O’Reilly, Joshua Pearson, Joseph Poulton and Elliotte Williams-N’Dure.
Hairspray is directed by Paul Kerryson and is produced Mark Goucher and Matthew Gale, with choreography by Drew McOnie, designs by Takis, lighting design by Philip Gladwell and sound design by Ben Harrison.
If you’re looking for a mid-week pick me up, there are some fantastic tickets to be had, offering tremendous value for money.
Hairspray is showing at Cardiff’s New Theatre until Saturday, 19 February. Tickers start from £22 and are available at the NewTheatreCardiff.co.uk or via the box office: 0343 310 0041.
