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The show is a tribute to the early 60s

First night: Hairspray

Shaftesbury Theatre

Our critic Mark Shenton welcomes a show with big hair, an even bigger heart, and which dares to be seriously subversive, too...

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Having a bad hair day? Hairspray is the product to set you right.

What began as a John Waters comedy in 1988 and then became a Broadway musical in 2002, with a film version released earlier this year, is now finally on the London stage - and it couldn't be more welcome.

"The triumph of this witty production is how light on its feet it is, albeit in Ball's case, with his 54" triple E chest, a top-heavy one..."
Mark Shenton

This is a musical that is pitch-perfect in every sense: a day-glo tribute to the early Sixties - a time when, as the song here goes, "everybody's groovin' to a brand-new sound".

And instead of offering a recycled pop jukebox to illustrate the point, Hairspray features a brand-new score that brilliantly both pastiches and lovingly honours that period.

This is just one of the original features of a show that is full of big hair and an even bigger heart. But it also dares to be seriously subversive, too, in its story.

First, in the matter-of-fact cross-casting that has the West End's leading musical man Michael Ball turn leading lady to play Edna Turnblad, an agoraphobic plus-sized mum to her equally voluptuous daughter Tracy.

And then, in the awakening of social activism that Tracy embodies in her attempts to conquer size-ism against herself and the racial segregation of Sixties American society.

still-boyish dimples

As the musical chronicles her ambition to join a TV dance show and also make sure that her black classmates can do so, too, a gloriously bubblegum confection gives audiences something else more serious to chew on.

Leading man Ball turns leading lady

But the message isn't sledgehammered here: the triumph of Jack O'Brien's endlessly witty production is how light on its feet it is, albeit in Ball's case, with his 54" triple E chest, a top-heavy one.

That's partly thanks to the warmth of Ball's lovely performance, only his still-boyish dimples betraying his identity beneath the physical padding.

His Edna is lovingly partnered by Mel Smith as husband Wilbur, even if Smith can't resist his trademark mugging.

But it is adorable newcomer Leanne Jones as their daughter Tracy who both galvanises the action and the show with an irrepressible energy: she is fat, funny and fabulous.

Grease - which returned to the West End this summer - may still wish to be the last word in period pastiche, but it's finally been eclipsed by this far more intelligent and wittier show.听

Have Your Say

Neil Wilkes
Went to see hairspray on tues 12th feb, one word, brilliant!!! Well done to leanne, she was fab, I fell in love with the movie last summer and now this has matched it. If you get a chance to go, make sure you do! if you miss it, you will miss out!!!!

Judy
I have seen the original movie, saw the show on Broadway as well as the national touring company production and caught the new movie 4 times back to back on the flight to London but NOTHING prepared me for Michael Ball's portrayal of Edna Turnblad. Although Michael had a really bad cold, it never showed in his performance. (Well, ok, he sneezed on stage once) and I actually think it enhanced Edna's voice. From the moment he appeared as Edna, Michael was gone and there was...MY MOTHER! Between the housecoat, the attitude in every line he delivered and the looks on Edna's face and even the body language was exactly how I remembered my mother while growing up. "Mind your manners!""Turn that down!""You'll have to get through this first!""Fame has got to your head and left you wacky!""I really didn't care for them."From the singing of bad commercial jingles to the obnoxious purse to the "mean mom" glare, Michael was the perfect 60's mom. I was in tears laughing. But what really got me was the scene in the record store when Edna comes in, starts talking and then turns around and screams "WILBUR!!!!!" I almost fell out of my seat. Can't tell you how many times my mother did that. Mel Smith was absolutely hysterical and the perfect man for the role of Wilbur Turnblad. "You're Timeless To Me" was one of the most memorable duets ever performed on stage. Leanne Jones was positively adorable and Johnnie Fiori was just outstanding as Motormouth Mabel. What a voice! The rest of the cast was in top form too and the show is pure energy from beginning to end. After the show I waited for Michael at the stage door and told him that all he needed was guilt (Most notable in Italian and Jewish mothers) and he could have been my mother. He replied "I can do guilt!" What an amazing production! I saw the show again Saturday the 15th and am now counting my pennies so I can go back again.

Jeff
I went to see Hairspray on November 10th, and it was everything it promised to be and more - I initially had my doubts as to how Michael Ball would fit into the role of Edna, but he was absolutely amazing - he was clearly enjoying himself, and even treated the audience to a little bit of ad-libbing with Mel Smith which left everyone HOWLING with laughter!! Another real highlight was the West End debut of Leanne Jones as Tracy... her enthusiasm and energy were a pleasure to behold as she delivered an absolutely flawless performance - theatreland has DEFINITELY found itself a new star!! I'm sure this WONDERFUL musical is going to run and run... anyone who wants a really fun night at the theatre should definitely put this show high on their list - I'd DEFINITELY go again!!

Will
I was at the opening night of Hairspray. It was 100% heartwarming, earth-shattering. Michael Ball was totally convincing and the fact that he was enjoying himself and having fun as Edna on stage made it an even more unforgettable and entertaining evening. Well done to the whole cast of Hairspray. Simply Wunderbar.

Clare Benson
A group of us girls booked tickets to see a preview of Hairspray as part of our Hen weekend in London and to say it made our weekend was an understatement. We are all part of amateur theatre and looked forward to see how it compared to the film, it in our opinion is better. Even if you are not a fan of Michael Ball please go and see it as he is out of this world. He has one mean pair of pins for a man!! If you love good theatre then go and see this amazing show. We even danced to the soundtrack at the wedding reception.Thank you to the cast for a great afternoon entertainment!!

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still-boyish dimples

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