Hairspray is one of my all-time favourite musicals so I was absolutely over the moon to attend last night’s show and witness the best that musical theatre has to offer.
Right from the start, this iconic production was inspiring, fun, feel-good and hilarious, plastering a smile onto every face in the audience.
Based on the 1988 John Waters film of the same name and set in Baltimore, the music is by Marc Shaiman, with lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman, and the book is by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan.
If you’re unfamiliar with the musical, Hairspray tells the story of dance-loving teen Tracy Turnblad (Alexandra Emmerson-Kirby) chasing her dream of performing on “The Corny Collins Show” and working to integrate the show in the process. The story’s core messages of self-love, acceptance and social activism have continued to resonate across generations and are still very relevant in today’s world.
Neil Hurst brought Edna Turnblad to a whole new level, and having seen him in The Full Monty, I knew he was a force to be reckoned with. Neil’s energy is infectious and his comedic scenes with husband Wilbur (Dermot Canavan) were flawless. The chemistry the two created had everyone in fits of laughter and they were the perfect duo.
I was blown away to find that this is Alexandra’s professional debut. She is a star and I can’t wait to see her in future performances. Her voice is beautiful, with an incredible range, and her eyes and facial expressions tell a story all on their own.
Michelle Ndegwa as Motormouth Maybelle was a standout role for me. She brought warmth and empowerment to her character, making every moment on stage captivating. Her performance of "I Know Where I've Been" was unforgettable. As she belted out the song, photos and names of activists flashed onto the screen behind her, adding a powerful impact that gave me chills.
The whole cast were phenomenal and, paired with possibly the best soundtrack in musical history, this show couldn't have been any better. It exceeded every expectation I had and I would attend all 12 of the remaining shows if I could!!
Get your tickets for this brilliant, must-see show here: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/hairspray-the-musical/palace-theatre-manchester/
