@ Edinburgh Playhouse, until Sat 27 Feb 2016; and
@ Eden Court, Inverness, from Mon 29 Feb – Sat 5 Mar 2016
Winner of eight Tony Awards and four Oliviers, the international smash hit musical Hairspray, which embarked on a 40-week tour back in September 2015, arrived in Edinburgh this week, and later in the month will hit Inverness.
Directed by Paul Kerryson, with choreography by Drew McOnie and musical direction by Ben Atkinson, it’s a show with a stellar cast and some fabulous one-liners. The costumes by Takis are pretty awesome too, with bright, bold teddy boy suits, beautiful form-fitting dresses for the girls and Claire Sweeney as Velma Von Tussle gets some star treatment with her costume changes, which only go to accentuate the ostentatiousness of her character.
Hairspray is a social commentary on the injustices of parts of American society in the 1960s and there’s a familiar ring, with the US election campaign happening now, and a certain Mr Trump, that is still ringing true today.
It’s Baltimore 1962, where Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, is on a mission to follow her dreams and dance her way onto national TV. Tracy’s audition makes her a local star and soon she is using her new-found fame to fight equality and choose integration not segregation, and also bagging local heart-throb Link Larkin along the way.
Whilst the musical has a few familiar songs including the opening number Good Morning, Baltimore and the closing rendition of You Can’t Stop the Beat, which has the audience dancing in their seats, the rest of the songs are unfamiliar but big toe-tapping numbers with infectious rhythms from pop, R&B, and Motown, with the cast fabulously accompanied by a live band. Brenda Edwards‘ (as Motormouth Maybelle) final and powerful rendition of I Know Where I’ve Been leaves goosebumps.
The entire cast bring this show to life with a vibrant energy, and that includes the “swing” team. It’s almost too difficult to single out any one star; they are all stars, bringing a freshness to this show, despite being five months into their tour. They certainly show how an opening night should be.
Tony Maudsley (Benidorm) plays Edna Turnblad alongside Peter Duncan (Blue Peter and Tumble) as Wilburt Turnblad and the duo do great justice to this comedic pair. Their You’re Timeless To Me number has a really touching quality, despite the laughs.
Seasoned performer Claire Sweeney (Educating Rita, Guys and Dolls, and for those old enough to remember, Brookside) is spectacular, as is Brenda Edwards (X Factor). Both have voices and delivery to die for.
There’s great energy, drive and warmth to Freya Sutton’s character as Tracey Turnblad, who holds the stage for most of the show. Other notable performances are Jon Tsouras as Corny Collins, the cool moving Dex Lee as Seaweed, who has hip moves to entice anyone, Karis Jack as Little Inez (another great mover), Lauren Stroud as Amber Von Tussle and Monique Young as Penny Pingleton – all amazing dancers and songsters.
These guys certainly know how to party, and this is one party you need to be at. It’s an uplifting show, with laughs from start to finish. The entire cast will have you dancing in the aisles.