Hairspray The Musical At The Royal And Derngate Theatre, Northampton Review

Reviewed by Michelle

ISN’T IT JUST GREAT THAT THEATRE LAND IS OPEN AGAIN! Boy have I missed it!

Based on John Waters’ 1988 film Hairspray, the theatre show brings it to life in so many ways and what an awesomely fantastic show this is.

THE THEATRE
We saw this show at the Royal and Derngate Theatre, Northampton. Great theatre and easy to park with a multi-story car park nearby.

We sat in the stalls, row F, seat numbers 12 and 13. Absolutely brilliant seats. Really close up, so much so that you could really see the expressions on each of the cast members faces and the detail of the stage, decor, props and costumes.

Front house staff where great, so polite and helpful. Overall, the theatre was clean, tidy, especially the ladies rest rooms. Great venue.

WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW! What a show and what a cast. I wish you could see my enthusiasm, especially as I write this review. I am on a high and buzzing and even listening to the soundtrack, for the gazillionth time lol.

SYNOPSIS OF THE SHOW
Imagine Baltimore, Maryland, America in the year 1960’s where the black and white communities were not allowed to mix together. The story shows that of racism, segregation and discrimination along with narrow minded views and opinions. The story is shown and told in a light hearted way through a lot of dance and music which is great and; being the emotionally sensitive person I am, I did find some parts upsetting and unnerving to think that what was portrayed in the show with regard to racism and segregation really did happen back in the day and I cannot begin to imagine how difficult it was for the black community. Even today, we still experience such ignorance and hope one day, we can all accept each other.

The show also captures other subjects alongside racism and segregation with those of protest, feminine qualities and self worth.

Now, imagine a young teenage girl who comes along and wants the opposite. She wants everyone to integrate. That young teenager is Tracy Turnblad. Tracy plans to bring everyone together, especially through the beat of the music and dance and ends up on national television doing just that.

CAST
Each and every one of the cast give it their all and made me feel like I wanted to get up and join in with them. They portrayed their characters to a very high standard and were so believable. I came out buzzing and jigging. I really did not want the show to end and was left wanting more, so much so, that me and my sister who came with me are looking to go back again. Such a great feeling to come away from a show feeling on top of the world.

A special shout out to Katie Brace who plays Tracy Turnblad. I was mesmerised by her performance. Her facial expressions had me laughing giggling, chuckling and just enjoying every bit of her performance. The reason for a special shout out is the fact that Katie’s role marks her professional debut of the show and boy did she deliver. She is a credit to the show, producers, directors etc. and most importantly, a real credit to herself.

I’ve seen Hairspray a few times with different casts over the years and Katie is by far, the best Tracy I have ever seen and that includes seeing the show in the West End, where I am sure Tracy will be snapped up to perform there. I really do wish her and all the cast the best for the future, they are all amazing and out of all the shows I have seen before, this cast is the absolute best! Each and every one of them are outstandingly brilliant, awesome and phenomenal.

STAGE, DECOR, PROPS AND LIGHTING
These were all bright, bold and very well put together and let us not forget those behind the scenes that you do not see. Everything about the stage, decor, props and lighting were phenomenal and I cannot begin to imagine where the show would be without these very important and integral members of the show. Everything about all of this makes a huge contribution to the show and it is so well thought out and applied exceptionally well.

CREATIVE TEAM
From the music, lyrics, director, choreographer to the sound director and lighting designer. Yet another group of members of the show who are an integral part of it and boy do they shine through each of the cast members. Just like the stage, decor, props and lighting, what this team of people do are phenomenal.

ORCHESTRA
Brilliantly located at the back of the stage, high up for all to see. Dressed in white suites and black dickie bows, they really did perform to the highest of quality and standard. They belted out some amazing music and really did get those toes tapping.

MUSIC
The music is joyous and infectious and will get you jigging and bopping in your seat and each cast member who sings will have you hooked as they sing brilliantly and belt out some amazing songs. My particular favourites are ‘Good Morning Baltimore’, ‘Mama, I’m A Big Girl Now’, ‘Welcome To The 60’s’, ’You Can’t Stop The Beat’ and ‘Big, Blonde and Beautiful’. Such powerful songs and the strength of the vocals are just draw dropping and some of the songs really does get into your soul and gives goosebumps, especially the song ‘I Know Where I’ve Been’.

Watch out for the duet between Wilbur and Edna Turnblad, Tracy’s parents, absolutely brilliant! Fantastically performed and so funny.

To get a sneak peak and taster at some of the songs from this awesome show, just click on this link https://www.hairsprayuktour.com/gallery/video/

COSTUMES
If you are a lover of the 60’s, then you are in for a real treat, especially if this was your teenage years or even if you just love 60s music and like a bit of fancy dress.

They were bright, bold, glittery, shiny, loud, and out of this world and really did look and feel like you were back in the 60’s. The quality of the costumes were phenomenal and oozed such high quality workmanship. Again; those behind the scenes that we do no not see play an integral part of the show and for me, it is very humbling that such talent plays a huge part of the show.

To purchase tickets, you can click on the link below where it will show you a number of locations where the show is touring.
https://www.hairsprayuktour.com/tour-dates/

OVERALL RATING OF THE SHOW
Whilst my rating is out of 5, I have never wanted to give a show a rating higher than 5 this one. If a 1,000 out of 5 is the new 5/5, then great, as this cast and show really do deserve it!

The price of the tickets at the Royal and Derogate Theatre range from £11.00 to £54.50. This depends on the day and time of week as well as the seat location. Either way, at £54.50, it is most certainly worth every penny.

To book please visit Hairspray – Royal & Derngate (royalandderngate.co.uk).