Hairspray Lowry Theatre Review
Hairspray
Lowry Theatre, Manchester
11-23 February 2013
Reviewed by Michelle Wright
Although I would say I am an avid theatregoer – Hairspray was on my list that I had not seen… but what a fabulous feel-good show… one that will have you clapping your hands, laughing out loud and dancing in your seats!
Hairspray is set in a time of political and ethnic change in Baltimore in the 1960s.The show opens Tracy Turnblad and her best buddie, Penny Pingleton (Lauren Hood), huddled around the television watching the teen music programme, The Corny Collins Show, dreaming of being amongst the immaculate and pretty singers and dancers on the show. When auditions are announced, Tracy Turnblad's mother Edna (played by the fabulous Mark Benton) forbids her from going but her father Wilbur encourages her to skip school and follow her dreams.
The day of the auditions arrive, and not only are Tracey and Penny off to a bad start as they arrive late, but Tracy is ridiculed for her size, especially by the sneering producer Velma Von Tussle. By demonstrating some ‘new grove dances moves’ she has picked up from her new detention friend, Seaweed (played by Marcus Collins of The X Factor fame), Tracy gets picked for the show. Tracy’s good upbringing pricks at her conscience when she discovers the racist selection process of the dancers, and given her new power, uses her position as a demonstration – unfortunately despite her good intensions, this back fires and she finds herself behind bars!
There’s a fabulous cast including some big names and amazing big voices – in particular Sandra Martin who plays Motormouth Maybelle – her solo of ‘I know where I’ve been’ sent shivers down my spine and was greeting with huge applause!
The dance routines were mesmerizing and with fabulously colourful costumes, toe tapping songs and lashing of comedy thrown in, I would say that Hairspray is a must see! The show closed to a standing ovation – and it was certainly very well deserved!
Hairspray is on at the Lowry until 23 Feb 2013 but is touring the country and you can catch it at various theatre up and down the country until the end of September 2013!
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £29-£46. To book tickets click here,
For further information visit www.hairspraythetour.com
Further Tour Dates:
Salford Quays – The Lowry: 11 Feb – 23 Feb?
Hull – The New Theatre: 25 Feb – 2 Mar?
Sunderland – Empire: 4 Mar – 9 Mar?
Bradford – Alhambra: 12 Mar – 23 Mar?
Milton Keynes: 1 Apr – 6 Apr?
Southampton – Mayflower: 9 Apr – 20 Apr?
Liverpool – Empire: 22 Apr – 27 Apr?
Glasgow – King’s Theatre: 7 May – 18 May?
Birmingham – Hippodrome: 21 May – 1 Jun?
Belfast – Grand Opera House: 4 Jun – 15 Jun
Cardiff – Wales Millennium Centre: 18 Jun – 29 Jun
Nottingham – Theatre Royal: 2 Jul – 13 Jul?
Dublin – Bord Gáis Energy Theatre: 16 Jul – 3 Aug
Bristol – Hippodrome: 6 Aug – 17 Aug?
Leeds – Grand Theatre: 20 Aug – 31 Aug
Edinburgh – Playhouse: 3 Sep – 14 Sep?
Aberdeen – His Majesty’s Theatre: 16 Sep – 21 Sep
Norwich – Theatre Royal: 24 Sep – 29 Sep