Reviewed by Louise Styles
Hairspray can only be described as an energetic kaleidoscope of colour for the eyes! Last night at the High Wycombe Swan the cast of Hairspray opened their run of 5 nights to a packed-out audience.
I confess to not having seen the 2007 movie version at all but remember in my teens watching the 1988 original over and over again, so I had a vague recollection of the story. Literally from the moment the lights went up there was colour everywhere!!
Hairspray tells the story of Tracy Turnblad, a white Baltimore girl, in 1962 and her struggle of being plus sized and surrounded by the injustice of segregation. The kids have a shared idealism of both races dancing together on their favourite tv show – something that is inconceivable across America.
The dancing is matched only by the quality of the singing, despite the oppressive nature of the theme this is an uplifting, funny show that mixes, politics, love and family unity. There is some real talent in this show – from 90s comedian Norman Hale, who’s character wonderfully interacts with his on stage ‘wife’ Matt Rixon to Rebecca Mendoza (Tracy Turnblad) & Layton Williams – well known for staring in Bad Education.
The Wycombe Swan is a fantastic theatre to visit – there is literally no bad view in the 1,076 seat house. The bar moves swiftly both before the show and during the interval and all is very reasonably priced. While I haven’t had a chance to eat there yet I did have a look at the new menu in the theatre restaurant – it looked great and certainly the diners I walked past pre-show seemed impressed.
A thoroughly great night out, easy parking next to the theatre, friendly welcoming staff, fantastic show, including the wonderfully catchy ‘you can’t stop the beat’ which I guarantee you’ll be singing for days after!
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £26 to £44.50 (booking fees may apply).
Hairspray the musical is at the Wycombe Swan from 21-26 May 2018, for more information or to book tickets visit www.wycombeswan.co.uk or call the box office on 01494 512 000.
Wycombe Swan, St. Mary Street, High Wycombe, HP11 2XE | 01494 512 000
