Review: Hairspray at the Leicester Curve Theatre

Hairspray
Leicester Curve Theatre
Reviewed on Saturday 22nd March

It's funny to think that Hairspray only premiered on Broadway in 2002 as it feels like one of those classic musicals which has been around since time began. Following its Olivier Award winning West End run, Hairspray has toured the UK several times, but now a brand new production has been staged at the renowned Leicester Curve Theatre.

Paul Kerryson's production stays true to the original but also takes several risks. Siobhan Boyd's costume design is injected with colour and Lee Proud’s choreography is nothing short of spectacular.

Considering the show is only at the Curve for a limited run, Paul Moore's set design is big but simple. The cast are so strong that they don't need an expensive set to dazzle the audience, as they are perfectly capable of doing just that themselves with their pure talent.

Rebecca Craven makes a triumphant stage debut as Tracy Turnblad, leading the cast with her feisty vocal talents. Fantastic performances also come from Callum Train (Corny Collins) whose performance is perfectly cheesy, Vicki Lee Taylor (Amber Von Tussle) who makes the perfect bitch, the instantly likeable Samara Casteallo (Little Inez) and John Barr (Wilbur Turnblad) who is always a true professional.

Damian Williams is outstanding as Edna Turnblad, his comic timing is so natural. As well as being a comical role, Williams also injects some heart into the character which works a treat. Tyrone Huntley is nothing short of sensational as Seaweed. A true triple threat, Huntley couldn't have received louder applause after 'Run and Tell That!' - and he certainly worked for it! 

Ex-EastEnders actor David Witts is perfectly cast as Link Larkin. Even before the character was introduced Witts stood out during 'The Nicest Kids in Town' for executing Proud’s choreography with such charm and character. After watching him looking glum, grumpy and miserable as Joey Branning in EastEnders for the past year it is wonderful that Witts is now able to show audiences just what can he do; he is a natural performer and I'm sure this will be his first of many stage roles.

The show is stolen by Sophie-Louise Dann - the reigning Goddess of theatre - as Velma Von Tussle and Zizi Strallen - the future Goddess of theatre - as Penny Pingleton. Dann has so much fun with the role and plays the villain audiences love to hate. Her vocals are sublime and the highlight of my evening was when she screamed in an audience member’s face as she marched across the front row during the finale. Strallen steals the majority of the laughs and performs with such detail; I couldn't take my eyes off her as I didn't want to miss one of her brilliant comical moments. Not one single aspect of her performance can be faulted.

The performance of the evening comes from Claudia Kariuki as Motor Mouth. From the second row of the stalls, I had to hold on tight as Kariuki's extraordinarily emotional and heartfelt rendition of 'I Know Where I’ve Been' quite literally almost blew me away. Her performance took the show to a whole new level where there simply are not enough stars or words of praise. She lived every word and despite looking as if she could break down in tears at any moments, proceeded to belt like I have never seen anybody belt before, leaving the audience screaming with appreciation before the song had even ended. Kariuki has the voice of a global superstar.

Hairspray is the ultimate feel good musical, but the show works as it also has such a strong message behind it about equality. Although, thankfully, the types of segregation we see in Hairspray now feel like a different world away, the show is still very relevant. Marc Shaiman (music/lyrics) and Scott Wittman’s (lyrics) score is so rare as not one single song is weak. The huge company numbers are joyous and every audience member will leave humming a different song.

Following its astonishingly brilliant production of Chicago, the Leicester Curve Theatre is clearly going from strength to strength. I hope the people of Leicester realise they have a West End theatre on their doorstep! Hairspray is a hilarious musical which is performed with such heart. It has such wide appeal and, regardless of what type of theatre you usually enjoy, anybody will have a great time watching Hairspray and will leave feeling hugely uplifted. After a stressful week, watching Hairspray reminded me why I do what I do, so I can only thank all involved.

Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins

Click here to read our interview with Rebecca Craven

Hairspray runs at the Leicester Curve Theatre until Saturday 5th April 2014.
Please visit www.curveonline.co.uk for further information and tickets.

Photo Credit: Pamela Raith

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