Hairspray- Liverpool Empire

Music: Marc Shaiman

Lyrics: Scott Wittman & Marc Shaiman

Book: Mark O’Donnell & Thomas Meehan

Director: Jack O’Brien

Choreographer: Jerry Mitchell.

Reviewer: Helen Patrick

The Public Reviews Rating:

The phenomenon that is Hairspray has wafted into the Liverpool Empire on its latest stop of its UK tour, and was greeted with a rapturous reception from a capacity audience.

Whilst I was wary of having my enjoyment of the film ruined by going to see this musical,There is no doubt that this production has a legion of admiring fans, who know every line of every song. Almost from the first bars of “Good Morning Baltimore”, which opens the first half, they start singing and dancing in their seats. It is impossible for even the most hard-bitten cynics – such as myself – not to be won over by the sheer magic and high energy in this, ultimate “feel good” show.

Most people know the story, that of plump teenager Tracy Turnblad (Laurie Scarth) who dreams of dancing on the local Corny Collins( Danny Bayne) show and becoming “Miss Teenage Hairspray” whilst winning the heart of the handsome, would-be heartthrob Link Larkin( Liam Doyle). Set in Baltimore in 1962, the plot deals with some complex issues such as the racial prejudices and segregation of black Americans, and discrimination based on physical appearance. In battling her way through adversity, Tracy finds herself in the front line doing her bit to campaign against intolerance and drags her reluctant mother, along for the ride.

Laurie Scarth as Tracy fills the stage with a performance full of enthusiasm, and enormous energy, and is supported by a delightfully nerdy best-friend in Penny Pingleton( Emma Dukes). Gillian Kirkpatrick and Clare Halse as Velma Von Tussle, and her poisonous daughter Amber, make hilarious and monstrous villains. Sandra Marvin as the aptly named Motormouth Maybelle quite literally stops the show with her power-house delivery of the anthem “I Know Where I’ve Been” and the Dynamites Pearl, Cindy and Peaches played by Shakira Akabusi, Natalie Kelly and Abiona Omonua respectively have the most phenomenal voices I have heard in a long while.

It has to be said that the male characters in the show are a bit under-served with all the larger-than-life females around, but Liam Doyle, Danny Bayne and Wayne Robinson (Seaweed) all manage to shine. Les Dennis makes a warm and engaging Wilbur, Tracy’s eccentric but kindly father, and makes the perfect foil to Michael Starke as his wife Edna Their uplifting duet “Timeless to Me” is both hilarious and poignant and both performers wring every ounce of comedy out of the situation.

And what can you say about Michael Starke’s performance? well it is clearly one of the best roles I have seen him in, and he seems to relish every moment of it. Clearly in the “bloke in a frock” mould, you never forget that this is a man– but that is the point. Starke manages to avoid an out-and-out panto performance, and brings an element of sensitivity and suffering to dilute an otherwise outrageously camp creation.

Just as much of a star of the show has to be the Choreographer Jerry Mitchell’s dance routines and the set designer David Rockwell’s simple and effective design, in fact all the designers deserve a mention as their inventiveness was exceptional.

All in all this is a “must not miss” show whether 8 or 80 there is something for everyone and you leave the theatre with that Feel good factor of having enjoyed a stupendous night out.