This is our review of Hairspray at Liverpool‘s Empire Theatre!
Synopsis Of Hairspray
Tracy Turnblad is a fiesty, excitable teenager who wears her heart on her sleeve. She and her best friend Penny Pingelton love The Corny Collins Show. And, after a day of open auditions, Tracy catches Corny’s eye, which leads to an opportunity to dance on TV. But she also catches the eye of Link Larkin, who is already romantically, erm, linked with Amber Von Tussle. This creates problems; Amber thinks that she and Link connect like a fridge magnet to one another.
Furthermore, Amber’s mother Velma Von Tussle produces Corny’s programme, and expresses concern at the notion of colour on her show. (This show is set in 1962 in Baltimore, with racism and segregation very much rife across the United States.) But with Tracy and Penny making friends with black students, she sees the conflict as an opportunity for positive change. So, will Tracy and Link get together, and can Tracy help to instigate change? Or will Amber and Velma get their own, misguided way?
Analysis Of Hairspray
This is a fun and energetic show from the get-go. Though it handles serious cultural issues, the show doesn’t take itself too seriously, making for a pleasant viewing experience. The story is very easy to follow, and offers numerous sub-plots that dovetail together for a satisfying finale. Furthermore, the audience seems very familiar with the tale, prepping and clapping right on cue for the more notable tunes.
Indeed, there are some great musical performances, with You Can’t Stop The Beat raising the roof at the Empire. Not forgetting the acting performances of Alexandra Emmerson-Kirby and Freya McMahon as Tracy and Penny respectively. This is actually Alexandra’s first major role, which makes her performance even more impressive. And the light-hearted tone guarantees plenty of laughs, with a few ad-libs adding to the daftness of certain scenes.
Summary Of Hairspray
I really enjoyed the show, and it works as both an old favourite and a great introduction to theatre. With a nice running time, a simple story, and some catchy tunes, the entire production is an ideal package. So, spend your summer at the Empire watching this show, and remember: You Can’t Stop The Beat!
