Review: HAIRSPRAY, Birmingham Hippodrome - Tour
Photo credit: Ellie Kurttz
Shaiman and Wittman's Hairspray has been brightly bursting onto stages for over 20 years now, full of life, love and whole lot of heart. If you are a musical theatre fan, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of the show and have binge watched the 2007 blockbuster film. Well, the rip-roaring show is out on another UK tour and with such a delightful score and gorgeous message, we couldn't resist a trip to the Birmingham Hippodrome to see it.
Set in 1960’s Baltimore, the story follows Tracy Turnblad, a teen whose personality (and hair) is larger than life. Tracy is obsessed with ‘The Corny Collins Show’, a programme where perfectly primped boys and girls sing and dance for their viewers’ entertainment. As a young budding performer, to be on this show is a slip road to success. When one of the performers has to leave the show for a certain...maternal amount of time, to Tracy's joy, the show announces open auditions for its show. Tracy cannonballs her way into the show and becomes an overnight sensation. Like any good story, we need a good villain, and this comes in the form of vulgar racist Velma Von Tussle and her spoilt brat daughter Amber who go out of their way to make Tracy's life hell since she doesn't ‘fit into the mould’ of who they think should be on TV, and don't believe that children of all races should be integrated on TV. But, with the help of lothario Link Larkin, the TV’s host Corny Collins, and the host of the channel’s ‘Negro Day’ Motormouth Maybelle, Tracy Turnblad and team are triumphant!
Before going into the show, we already knew Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman's songs were absolute bops and the book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan was stylish and nuanced so as far the show itself, there’s already two big ticks, so next, how was the production?
Directed by Brenda Edwards who previously soared in the role of Motormouth Maybelle, this particular outing of Hairspray packs the big bubblegum musical punch you would hope for from the show. It’s big, REALLY big, all of it, from hair to costumes, to the dance routines, songs, and as soon the show starts, the entertainment conveyor belt starts and you better jump as it never slows down.
Our lead Alexandra Emmerson-Kirby is infectiously likeable as the tenacious Turnblad. She bullets around the stage with the energy of a hamster that drunk a pint of Red Bull, she never slows down and we never stop loving it. Neil Hurst and Dermot Canavan are divine as Edna and Wilbur Turnblad, a delightful double act who bring the perfect balance of comedy and heart to their roles and the few moments of panto-like corpsing have the audience rolling around with laughter.
Michelle Ndegwa as Motormouth Maybelle, goodness, we could not believe this was her musical theatre debut. A fantastic find and wonderful bit of casting from Grindrod Burton Associates, the voice of an angel! When she sings ‘I Know Where I've Been’, the audience are simply stunned. We can't wait to see more from Ndegwa in the future.
Joanne Clifton and Allana Taylor are splendidly spiteful as Velma and Amber Von Tussle and as well as being a great antagonist, Taylor has a wonderful tone and is another person we can't wait to see more from, a future Jenna in Waitress perhaps?
Finally, we can't write this review without mentioning Freya McMahon as Penny Pingleton, Tracy’s best friend. Is she a master of physical comedy or is she possessed by a demon?! We don’t know, maybe both, all we do know is that she brings absolute rocket fuel to the role of Penny and is a joy to watch.
Safe to say, Besties, we had a wonderful evening. As far as production value, the show has it but the one thing that falls a bit flat for us is the set. The side sets being two brick walls and the central stage being a projector screen/video wall that paints the picture of the settings we are in is fine but that was all, fine. We can't help but wonder on a show like this, that will undoubtedly sell like it will, could a bit more have been done? We understand that this set is extremely easy to tour with, but we think the fans deserve more. Also, at times, as much as we loved the conveyor belt of energy and pizzaz, it feels like we are watching a show whereby the director keeps saying “yes” and encourages the actor to give more, and some actors take that further than others and then they were never reigned back down into the stratosphere. Whilst that is a joy to watch and that energy is needed in this show, we would like to have seen this go through with a fine comb so there is a cohesive dynamic of energy throughout the whole cast. But will this stop you having a whopping whale of a time? Absolutely not!
Hairspray, we love you, we will always love you and we hope you keep touring for many years to come. This show is a must see and this particular version of the show does no harm, but only bolsters the show's legacy. Leave your baggage at the door and indulge yourself in an evening of big, belty and beautiful bops!
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: James Edge
Hairspray plays at Birmingham Hippodrome until 21 September, with tickets for select touring venues available here.
