EntertainmentTheatre

Hairspray at the Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff Review

16-26 August 2017

Reviewed by Lee-Anne McCarthy

Hairspray is a favourite musical of mine and I had the pleasure of seeing the latest production last night at the Millennium Centre, Cardiff.

Hairspray tells the story of the unwitting teenage revolutionary Tracy Turnblad in 1962 Baltimore. At a time of complete racial segregation Tracy innocently believes in the true worth of all people regardless of colour. Throughout Tracy struggles to engage Baltimore in her way of thinking fighting many including the small mindedness of her own high school friends. Rebecca Mendoza took on the task of playing the lovable fun-loving Tracy. Her vocal performances were outstanding and she really brought Tracy to life. The entire audience fell in love with this moralistic rebel and willed her on throughout the show to fully integrate Baltimore.

Throughout Tracy’s journey she is accompanied by; love interest and head of the ‘nicest kids in town’, Link Larkin, best friend and ditzy partner in crime Penny and the smooth dancing dynamo Seaweed. Link, played by Edward Chitticks, was absolutely the heartthrob of the outfit. Ladies and girls in the audience easily believed him to be the pin up of the time. Chitticks made his connection with Mendoza completely believable and as a member of the audience you were rooting for the big girl Tracy to get her guy over the confident, bossy current girlfriend Amber played by Aimee Moore. Mendoza’s hard work was supported by Annalise Liard-Bailey who played Penny Lou Pingleton Tracy’s best friend and biggest supporter. She provided light-hearted humour and tongue in cheek wit and fun in almost every line. Penny’s love interest Seaweed, played by Layton Williams, was a tremendous dancer. Williams oozed confidence on the dance floor and almost everyone in the audience found them toe tapping to his moves.

All teenage girls need the love and support of their parents and Tracy Turnbald was no different. During the show, you see Tracy encouraged to follow her dreams by her devoted Dad Wilbur, played by Norman Pace, and protected from ridicule by her loving mother Edna Turnblad, played by Matt Rixon. Rixon wholly embraced his feminine side for the part of Edna. He lit up the stage every time he set foot on it. The devoted parents spent one scene reminding each other of just how in love they were. Both Pace and Rixon were awe-inspiring they embraced the humour of the situation yet it was clear even in the humour that their characters were completely in love. The connection and team work provided by Rixon and Pace made this one of the best scenes of the show.

The leads were supported every step of the way by a fantastic ensemble. All of the cast, crew and staff worked like a well-oiled machine. The set design and music whisked you back the fun and frolics of the 60’s.

A fantastic show, well worth a watch. Get down to the Millennium Centre to see this 5-star performance.

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost from £14.50 to £47.50 (booking fees may apply).

Hairspray the musical is at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff from 16-26 August 2017, for more information or to book tickets visit www.wmc.org.uk or call the box office on 029 2063 6464.

Wales Millennium Centre, Bute Place, Cardiff Bay, CF10 5AL | 029 2063 6464

5Star

Show More
Back to top button