Hairspray at the Mayflower Theatre Southampton Review
Hairspray
Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
16-21 November 2015
Reviewed by Angela Paull
Last night we went to see Hairspray at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton. The Mayflower is a fabulous old theatre in the heart of the city and is surrounded by several car parks (I always park at Grosvenor Square as it is a flat rate of £2 between 6pm and midnight). The Mayflower has bars, a restaurant and a snack shop so can easily cater for all your refreshment needs before the show and during the interval. The theatre was clean and tidy and all the staff were very polite and helpful.
We were sitting in the Dress Circle for the performance, which really helps you appreciate the size of the theatre and gives a real bird’s eye view of the stage. It was a great vantage point from which to appreciate the lighting throughout the show too.
Hairspray is based on true events in Baltimore in the early 60’s and the main theme is racial segregation. The story revolves around The Corny Collins Show – a fictional teenage TV dance show, produced by Velma Von Tussle. Velma (played with gusto by Claire Sweeney) is a pretty unsympathetic character who frequently tells her spoilt daughter Amber that they should return to the “white side of town”. When one of the teenage dancers needs to take a, 9 month, break from the show auditions take place to find her replacement.
Massive fan of the show, Tracy Turnblad, goes to audition. However Tracy is not the wholesome, slim stereotype and is given short shrift by Velma – as is Little Inez, a young black girl who also asks to audition. This is the issue at the heart of Hairspray – discrimination in whatever form it takes, whether on the basis of colour, race or size.
After catching the eye of Corny Collins himself Tracy actually manages to get a spot as a dancer on the show. During a session of detention at school with the coloured kids she picks up some amazing dance moves which she showcases during her show debut and becomes a hit in the process. From this point on she determines that the Corny Collins Show should be more inclusive and that her new friends shouldn’t just be able to showcase their talent on “Negro Day” but at all times.
There are plenty of romantic side plots, friends and relations to help in her quest. On the way to the finale we are treated to a charming duet between Tracy’s parents which is reminiscent of old music hall slapstick. There is also an amazing solo by Motormouth Mabel (played by Brenda Edwards) which effectively relates the constant battle against segregation and the emotional strain of being made to feel like an outsider.
The finale of the show really is an all singing/dancing treat for the eyes – the psychedelic lighting, pyrotechnics and full on glittery costumes really assault the senses (in a good way) and the crowd were fully engaged (many dancing along in their seats). Edna Turnblad emerging from a massive hairspray canister, resplendent in a full on pink glittery frock is not something I’ll forget in a hurry!
The costumes throughout were really impressive, as was the general staging – which seamlessly moved between the TV Studio and the backstreets of Baltimore, via the schoolyard and county jail. A nice touch is that the orchestra are up on the stage – it makes a pleasant change to see the musicians that are creating such storming tunes! The general volume of the show was loud and, at times, I struggled to understand some of the dialogue and lyrics – whilst this didn’t detract in any way from the general storyline there were odd occasions where I felt I’d missed some of the detail.
All in all though this is a bold, brassy, colourful production with real emotional heart. I couldn’t pick out individual cast members for praise as they were all excellent – some very impressive voices and acrobatics were on display. It is a long production (starting at 7.30 and finishing at a shade past 10 o’clock, with interval) but it engages you from start to finish and the cast received a long and appreciative standing ovation at the end.
I would also recommend the purchase of a programme which gives a brief outline of the real life events and people upon which the production is based. A small history lesson but one which really adds some meat to the bones to the story.
Well worth taking a look.
Rating: 4/5
Tickets cost from £24.50 to £49.50 (booking fees may apply).
Hairspray is at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton until 21 November 2015. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 02380 711811.
To find out more about Hairspray the musical and tour dates visit www.hairsprayuktour.com.
Mayflower Theatre, Commercial Road, Southampton, SO15 1GE | 02380 711811
