“Hairspray”

Nottingham Theatre Royal

One of my favourite feel-good musicals travels from Baltimore to Nottingham bringing along with it some wonderfully memorable songs along with a few serious messages about segregation, class, body image and racism.

We welcome you to the Sixties and bid Good Morning Baltimore where we meet the Nicest Kids In Town, well some are nicer than others.

Our hero Tracy Turnblad is a massive fan of The Corny Collins Show and wants to be a dancer on the show. She auditions and just when she thinks all is lost, her big personality, big heart and big hair, wins the day. She also finds love and makes many new friends into the bargain. She is a pioneer for breaking down the barriers of racism, changing attitudes and opinions. Serious stuff but delivered in a bouncy, pink and fluffy way, which makes sure that the message is received in an easily digested, sugar-coated pill.

Tracy Turnblad, played by Katie Brace, who is making her professional stage debut in this production, was simply excellent here. Her whole persona embodies the role of Tracy, and boy does she have a big voice to match. Katie makes you fall in love with Tracy.

Edna Turnblad, played by Alex Bourne, reminds me facially of Brian Conley, and like Brian Conley, Alex has that natural humour which he brings to the role. So many stand out pieces with Alex but none more so than the brilliant duet with Wilbur, "Timeless To Me".

Wilbur Turnblad is played by Norman Pace, nay the Legend that is Norman Pace. I've seen Norman play Wilbur before so I knew we were in for a great night. He is one of those actors who acts with, not only his body but with his face. He has funny bones and, having seen Norman in several productions, knows that he knows how to use those funny bones to the best effect

Penny Pingleton, Tracy’s best friend, is played by Rebecca Jayne-Davies. I adore this character as there is such a transformation with the character which gives an actor such scope, almost like playing two different characters. Rebecca also has one of those voices that could cut glass. So pure but with hidden power. Love the character and love Rebecca.

Seaweed, Penny's crush turned boyfriend is played by Akeem Ellis-Hyman. A good mover and a good voice. He pulls out the taboo sex appeal for Penny with "Blacker the Berry", highlighting both moves and voice.

Corny Collins, played by Richard Meek, who bore quite a resemblance to the late Richie Valens, which is no bad thing as Valens was a teen idol from the 1950's and 1960's not unlike Corny Collins.

Velma Von Tussle played by Rebecca Thornhill is a perfect casting for this character. Very classy with a wonderful voice and a mighty fine pair of pins on her!

Velma's daughter, Amber Von Tussle is played by Jessica Croll, and I only have one niggle with this character, not Jessica, and that is that it looked like the make up artist made her look too old for this character, and for me did not fit into the teenage persona of Amber. Jesicca can play teenage roles and look the age but for some reason, she seemed to look older than the teen that Amber is. Now I have that out of the way, I loved Jessica's performance of the bolshy, controlling "girlfriend" of Link Larkin.

Talking of which, Ross Clifton plays Link Larkin. A good-looking young man who also has a very versatile voice. You really warm to Link from the start when he starts to see Tracy for the person she is inside and not what the others see externally. Another really good voice and some hip shakin' dance moves.

Motormouth Mama Maybelle, is played by Brenda Edwards. This woman has a song in this production that fits her so well, "Big, Blonde and Beautiful", which she belts out with such sass, and with a twinkle in her eye. Brenda also gets to deliver one of my favourite songs from the production, “I Know Where I’ve Been”, a belter of a ballad, and Brenda has the pipes to make that song seem so easy to deliver. A spine-tingling performance all round.

Charlotte St Croix as Little Inez and what a little pocket rocket Charlotte is. Light that touch paper and watch her explode on stage. Great energy.

I also want to mention Ceris Hine as one of the authority figures in the musical. Both parts she portrays, the gym teacher and the prison guard in The Big Doll House, are full of fun.

A brilliant supporting cast who also exhibit enormous amounts of energy levels in this fast-paced show. having seen "Hairspray" several times, it still surprises me when the interval comes around. probably because I am loving the show that much!

This production is directed by Paul Kerryson and he gets the pace for this show spot on.

Choreography by Drew McOnie and again someone responsible for the pace of the show, whether it is the Presley-esque mic stand grinding of "It takes Two" or the hundred mile an hour "You Can't Stop the Beat", this musical is packed with many brilliantly choreographed pieces.

One thing I noticed that was different this time around was the set and the cinematographic back drop, both excellent additions that keep a musical like this so fresh. The set, as well as the brilliantly colourful costumes were designed by Takis, a London based performance designer.

A wonderful live band who stormed through the many well-known songs for this show, "I Can Hear The Bells", "Without Love", "Mama I'm A Big Girl Now", "You Can't Stop The Beat", "Good Morning Baltimore", "Welcome To The Sixties", and the earworms go on.....

This is one show that is going to lift you out of the doldrums and get the till bells ringing at the same time. This is the fullest I have seen the Theatre Royal since we got back to "normal service", so that alone reflects the love theatre goers have for this musical, that and the brilliant standing ovation that was given in appreciation of a wonderful evening's entertainment.

“Hairspray” is at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 16 October.