Hairspray (UK Touring)
When it comes to being seen as a 'feelgood musical' there are many productions that could see themselves in that bracket but, Hairspray simply must be vying for the gold medal position. Despite what are contentious issues around the treatment of people based on, to name only two body image and race, it manages to fuel a rapturous reception from audiences from the first note to the final bow.
Stepping-up and owning the role of Tracy Turnblad I was lucky enough to see Rosie O'Hare who surely deserves higher billing in future, joined by Edward Chitticks as (and I quote, which hits the nail of his performance on the head) the 'ever sparklin' Link Larkin.
Matt Rixon is truly magnificent as Edna Turnblad and has built the perfect comedy partnership with somebody who does comedy as second nature in Norman Pace as outsized but, not overshadowed husband Wilbur, their duet of 'Your Timeless To Me' was perfectly comedic and frankly sublime.
John Tsouras is perfectly cast as the suave host Corny Collins and his ongoing verbal battles with Gina Murray as bigoted, however strangely likable Velma von Tussle add much to the underlying story of struggles across a cultural divide.
Annalise Liard-Bailey in what I believe is her first leading role is stunning as the outwardly geeky but, with hidden beauty Penny Pingleton and able to hold her own alongside the insanely talented tumbling, singing, dancing sensation that is Layton Williams who has surely laid permanent claim to the role of Seaweed J Stubbs.
In what is a team of highly tuned theatre talent it seems almost churlish not to mention everybody by name but, this is merely a review, however one must mention the powerful vocal of Brenda Edwards as Motormouth Maybelle and yet still able to provoke a tear during the soulful 'I Know Where I've Been'.
Being completely honest I was disappointed with the previous tour, not with the performance but, particularly with the set and the costumes which in a word were 'shabby'. This tour has however more than made up for it in so many ways, all credit to Paul Kerryson (Director), Drew McOnie (Choreographer), Ben Atkinson (Musical Supervisor) and some amazing work from Takis (Set & Costume Designer).
Hairspray is touring until 3rd June 2018 so plenty of chance to catch it, maybe even more than once as it's that good !
Book Here
Stepping-up and owning the role of Tracy Turnblad I was lucky enough to see Rosie O'Hare who surely deserves higher billing in future, joined by Edward Chitticks as (and I quote, which hits the nail of his performance on the head) the 'ever sparklin' Link Larkin.
Matt Rixon is truly magnificent as Edna Turnblad and has built the perfect comedy partnership with somebody who does comedy as second nature in Norman Pace as outsized but, not overshadowed husband Wilbur, their duet of 'Your Timeless To Me' was perfectly comedic and frankly sublime.
John Tsouras is perfectly cast as the suave host Corny Collins and his ongoing verbal battles with Gina Murray as bigoted, however strangely likable Velma von Tussle add much to the underlying story of struggles across a cultural divide.
Annalise Liard-Bailey in what I believe is her first leading role is stunning as the outwardly geeky but, with hidden beauty Penny Pingleton and able to hold her own alongside the insanely talented tumbling, singing, dancing sensation that is Layton Williams who has surely laid permanent claim to the role of Seaweed J Stubbs.
In what is a team of highly tuned theatre talent it seems almost churlish not to mention everybody by name but, this is merely a review, however one must mention the powerful vocal of Brenda Edwards as Motormouth Maybelle and yet still able to provoke a tear during the soulful 'I Know Where I've Been'.
Being completely honest I was disappointed with the previous tour, not with the performance but, particularly with the set and the costumes which in a word were 'shabby'. This tour has however more than made up for it in so many ways, all credit to Paul Kerryson (Director), Drew McOnie (Choreographer), Ben Atkinson (Musical Supervisor) and some amazing work from Takis (Set & Costume Designer).
Hairspray is touring until 3rd June 2018 so plenty of chance to catch it, maybe even more than once as it's that good !
Book Here
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