Review: HAIRSPRAY, New Alexandra Theatre Birmingham, December 14 2015

The dust has only recently settled on the last production of Hairspray at the Curve in Leicester but now this production is on the road across the UK. Based on the packed house at the New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham last night, it's proven itself to be a show that people will return to. It's just upsetting that this time around the show did not live up to my expectations.

Taking into account that the creatives are the same on this tour as they were at the Curve last year (a production I greatly enjoyed); something was sadly lacking here. It is difficult adapting a set from one that's purpose built for a theatre to one which needs to work in a variety of venues of different shapes and sizes. Paul Moore's set design here looked bland and uninspiring with only Takis' costumes and Philip Gladwell's lighting making the picture come to life. The scene transitions are very slapdash and the unconcealed use of stage crew for the changes is distracting at times. This was something that happened at the Curve as well and although I'm sure it can't be avoided, the backstage staff could have been in costume or even just minus their headsets and headtorches! This small detail can break an audience member's attention from the world being created on stage. Even Paul Kerryson's direction seems confined with regard to staging which I do not remember being an issue in his original production.

Hairspray is undoubtedly one of the most energetic shows around from a performers perspective but the ensemble routines here appeared a little laboured throughout. Drew McOnie's choreography is brilliant and the cast execute it nicely but with little oomph. It is only really Layton Williams (Duane) and Karis Jack (Little Inez) who really grab my attention throughout the musical numbers. Seemingly all of their stamina is saved until the final show number 'You Can't Stop The Beat' which admittedly brought the house down and deservedly. The pinnacle of the show as a whole is 'I Know Where I've Been'; a massively exciting and knockout vocal performance by Brenda Edwards as Motormouth Maybelle. It's just a shame it came so far along in the show.

Freya Sutton as Tracy is a firecracker; full of life and enthusiasm. She starred in the last UK tour a couple of years ago and her performance is as effervescent now as it was then. Her mother Edna is played by Benidorm's Tony Maudsley who appears to be channelling original stage Edna Harvey Fierstein throughout. Occasionally it does creep into the realms of panto but he does have wonderful comic timing. As her kind natured and tolerant husband Wilbur, Peter Duncan is spritely, humorous and does a brilliant job with his material. Duncan and Maudsley's rendition of 'Timeless To Me' is very sweet and, although it could have been pushed further, is very entertaining.

Velma and Amber Von Tussle respectively are represented by Claire Sweeney and Lauren Stroud; both of whom could have cranked up the bitch factor a little. I actually liked Stroud's character which is not how you are meant to feel. Other notable performances come from Dex Lee as Seaweed, Monique Young as Penny and Ashley Gilmour as crooner Link.

Hairspray runs at the New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham until 2 January 2016 and is currently touring until May 2016.

Photo: Ellie Kurttz

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