WIDELY acclaimed musical Hairspray is doing the rounds on a nationwide tour and this week took a firm hold of audiences at the Birmingham Hippodrome.
Set in the US city of Baltimore in 1962, the show introduces a wealth of characters, not least love- struck teens and their overbearing parents.
Rebecca Mendoza as Tracy Turnblad won the hearts of the audience with her mischievous sense of humour, powerful singing voice and impeccable moves as she realises her dreams of being on television.
And Annalise Liard-Bailey played pal Penny Pingleton who finds her dancing feet – and partner Seaweed (Layton Williams) – alongside rising star Tracy.
Mother, daughter duo Velma Von Tussel, played by Gina Murray, and daughter Amber, played by Aimee Moore made the perfect villains, eventually shunned for their superficial values and assumed privilege.
And the unlikely pairing of Edna Turnblad, (Matt Rixon) and doting husband Wilbur (Norman Pace) was like a show in itself, with their on-stage chemistry brimming with oodles of humour and affection.
Multiple dance routines provided dazzling displays, with not a group, couple or individual straying out of beat.
And not only was it visually stunning, it was laden with themes from racism and social class to teen angst and relationships, and its light- hearted humour ensured it did not take itself too seriously.
Bursting with energy, catchy songs, humour and of course hairspray, this joyful ensemble was an uplifting and colourful ode to a defining era in American history.
Visit www.birminghamhippodrome.com to find out about upcoming shows.
