Review: Hairspray at Birmingham Hippodrome

Fionnuala Bourke reviews the popular musical playing in Birmingham until Saturday October 2
Hairspray at Birmingham HippodromeHairspray at Birmingham Hippodrome
Hairspray at Birmingham Hippodrome

Welcome to the 60s - and one of the most fun-filled shows you can currently see in Birmingham.

From the moment the curtains opened the audience were swept away with the enthusiasm and gusto of the singers and dancers as the slick performance of the American musical got underway.

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How can we ever tire of the inspirational story of Tracy Turnblad’s dramatic transformation from pleasantly plump teen to queen teen trendsetter after she auditions and wins a spot on The Corny Collins Show?

Tracy doesn’t just make the right moves on the dance floor, she also fights against discrimination of her beloved friends in a bid to bring integration, not segregation, to her home city of Baltimore.

The show is a bucket load of laughs with a truly talented cast.

Hairspray at Birmingham HippodromeHairspray at Birmingham Hippodrome
Hairspray at Birmingham Hippodrome

Katie Brace is a fantastically likeable and realistic Tracy - you wouldn’t believe it’s her first professional role.

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Special mention has to go to Brenda Edwards who plays Motormouth Maybelle and nearly took the roof off the house with her amazingly powerful voice.

(You may remember her from the 2005 X Factor, she was the last woman standing in the semi finals.)

Alex Bourne plays Tracy’s mum, Edna Turnblad, and he becomes a particular favourite of the audience along with Norman Pace who plays Tracy’s dad Wilbur.

(Norman is no stranger to your TV screen either - he’s one half of the well known detective duo Hale and Pace.)

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The cast are accompanied by a live band who sit behind the bright, colourful and brilliantly simple but effective sets.

The sound was spot on throughout when I attended with a friend on Monday night.

It’s a popular show - it looked like there was a full house in - yes, even on a rainy Monday!

Hairspray at Birmingham HippodromeHairspray at Birmingham Hippodrome
Hairspray at Birmingham Hippodrome

Covid safety rules were in operation and audience members weren’t allowed into the theatre without a mask.

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Although most seemed to take it off once they were sat in their seats.

The theatre isn’t accepting cash in order to reduce risk of infection due to Covid-19 and tickets are sent out on email.

So if you’re in the mood for a bit of a laugh and maybe a bit of dance in the end, then you should treat yourself to some tickets.

The messages on discrimination are as important today as they were then.

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It’s great to see live theatre is back - you’ll be amazed at how brilliant it is to see a live show if you haven’t had a chance to get out to the theatre already.

More info and tickets to Hairspray at Birmingham Hippodrome here

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