Otiginally published by L.S. Media. August 19th 2011.

Cast: Les Dennis, Michael Starke, Dina Tree, Liam Doyle, Gillian Kirkpatrick, Wayne Robinson, Danny Bayne, Emma Dukes, Clare Halse, Sandra Marvin, Yvonne O’ Grady, Seliza Sebastian, Kane Andrews.

Set against the start of the heightened racial tensions that plagued America socially and politically during the early 1960’s, Hairspray is one of those musicals that stretches the audience’s idea of fun to new limits and leaves them gasping for more!

With songs as snappy and show stopping as I Can Hear the Bells, Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now and The Big Doll House included into the musical numbers, it would have been near impossible to find anyone not captivated by the scenes that unfolded in front of an incredibly vocal audience.

In a dress that would have made Divine seethe with jealousy, local actor Michael Starke swopped years of great television roles to play the eponymous Edna Turnblad, in all her glory. Michael captured the role perfectly and it would come as a surprise to many in the audience that it was only the third time he had donned the persona of Maryland’s larger than life housewife.

It is always high praise indeed from any actor when they credit their co-stars with any help that they feel that they received in rehearsing for the part, this is the same for any member of the profession but when it’s the highly talented and genial Michael Starke praising Les Dennis’s attitude and wealth of experience on the stage then you know its heartfelt, especially as the two have to lock lips during the song Timeless to Me.

Other than Michael Starke and Les Dennis as the two parents of heroine Tracy Turnblad, there stood out the impressive and unexpected performance by Dina Tree as the happy, dance loving Baltimore girl. Bravely standing in for the unfortunately ill Laurie Scarth, Dina stole the audience’s hearts and showed once more the importance of being ready for that one big moment.

The whole cast looked fantastic as they went through more cans of hairspray than you can shake a stick at and more wig changes than you can find in any stylists. From the cast right through to the dressers and the hard working Resident Director Mark Hilton, the whole company made Hairspray an enjoyable and fun evening out for all the family.

Ian D. Hall