Hairspray At The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford Review
TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER + GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW.
Reviewed by Helen Noble
The smash hit musical comedy “Hairspray” is back again in Bradford at the Alhambra Theatre!
13 September – 18 September 2021
The show lasts 2 Hours 30 mins including the interval.
It’s Baltimore, 1962 where Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, is on a mission to follow her dreams and dance her way onto national TV. Tracy’s audition makes her a local star and soon she is using her new-found fame to fight for equality, bagging local heartthrob Link Larkin along the way!
What a fantastic night from start to finish. This is the second time of me seeing hairspray and it was just as fabulous as the first time, Not knowing the story beforehand doesn’t matter at all, it is so fantastically played out It feels like watching the movie. The colourful scenery and backgrounds were spectacular, the costumes were full of glitz and glamour, the casts singing and acting, teamed with the live band, was immense, featuring songs Welcome To The 60s, You Can’t Stop The Beat, Good morning Baltimore and many more.
Katie Brace starred as Tracy Turnblad along with Bernadette as Motormouth Maybelle, Paul Hutton as Wilbur Turnblad alongside Alex Bourne as Edna Turnblad, Rebecca Thornhill as Velma, Liam Dean as Corny Collins, Ross Clifton as Link Larkin, Jessica Croll as Amber Von Tussle, Zoe Heighton as Penny Pingleton, Akeem Ellis-Hyman as Seaweed and Charlotte St Croix as Little Inez/Dynamite Shayna.
The Alhambra is a traditional theatre, the main theatre building is modern with bright lights which not only look fabulous but makes the building easy to find. You are welcomed by friendly smiling staff, who are more than happy to help in whatever way they can. There are hand gel stations on entry and at various points around the theatre. Although not mandatory they ask for face masks to be worn whilst not seated. On the ground floor there is a ticket kiosk and a kiosk for purchasing soft drinks and sweets. On the first floor there is an impressive bar/cafe area, you can even pre order drinks to be ready for the interval to save queuing. The venue has disabled parking onsite to the left of the buildings entrance it says no entry but there is a buzzer system to allow entry. There are also plenty of carparks within a couple of minutes walking distance from the venue, one on Sharpe Street which is just up the hill from the Alhambra, If using an NCP car park if you inform the ticket office on arrival they give you an additional parking ticket to enable a discount on your parking fee.
Advertised as an irresistible feel good show that will have you smiling for days! To which I definitely agree. I would highly recommend it, a must see!
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £21.50 to £47.00 (booking fees may apply).
Hairspray the musical is at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford from 13-18 September 2021, for more information or to book tickets visit www.bradford-theatres.co.uk or call the box office on 01274 432000.
Alhambra Theatre, Morley Street, Bradford, BD7 1AJ | 01274 432000