BWW Reviews: HAIRSPRAY, Birmingham Hippodrome, May 22 2013

The roof got lifted off the Birmingham Hippodrome last night with the rapturous audience reaction to Stage Entertainment's UK touring production of Hairspray. With big hair and fun aplenty, you will not find a show with so much energy and attack as this one. With wide appeal across the board due to the 2007 film starring John Travolta as the loveable Edna Turnblad, Hairspray has something for everyone. It is great to see a younger audience drawn to the theatre; very few shows these days have such power. Hairspray is topical, has good morals, catchy music by Marc Shaiman and brilliantly choreographed dance routines by Jerry Mitchell - the show has everything!

Jack O'Brien's production could have been lifted out of the West End as there is very little difference between the original London production and the touring show. David Rockwell's design is not overly complicated but serves the show brilliantly, providing the 1960s feel in spades. Kenneth Posner's lighting is superb and works hand in hand with Harold Wheeler's orchestrations. Ultimately the stars of the production are the stunning costumes and wigs, which Hairspray couldn't do without. William Ivey Long's costumes and Paul Huntley's wig design are detailed, eccentric and above all wonderful.

Mark Benton, more recently recognised as Mr Chalk in BBC's Waterloo Road, makes a fantastic Edna; full of personality and looks wonderful in a dress! He is also remarkably light on his feet with the choreography with 'Timeless To Me' being a particular highlight. Other star casting includes Marcus Collins as Seaweed who is perfect, with loads of charisma - and he dances brilliantly. His vocals were never in question but he has the whole package.

Making her professional theatre debut is Freya Sutton as Tracy Turnblad. Walking into a lead role straight out of drama school comes with a ridiculous amount of pressure, none of which shows in her performance. She looks like she has been performing professionally for years.

It is definitely an ensemble show and there are so many people that need commending for their performances, notably Sandra Marvin as Motormouth, Paul Rider as Wilbur, Luke Striffler as Link and Lauren Hood as Penny.

It is difficult to sell the show any more! If you would like a fun night out and to see some stellar performances, head to Birmingham Hippodrome before Hairspray finishes on June 1.

Photo: Hairspray UK Tour website

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