REVIEW: Hairspray at Palace Theater Manchester – Not Really Here Group

Hairspray is one of my favorite musicals of all time, so I was absolutely dying to attend last night’s show and witness all that musical theater has to offer.

Right from the start, this iconic production was inspiring, entertaining, feel-good and funny, putting a smile on every face in the audience.

Based on the 1988 John Waters film of the same name and set in Baltimore, the music is by Marc Shaiman, with lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman, and the book is by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan.

If you’re not familiar with the musical, Hairspray tells the story of dance-loving teenager Tracy Turnblad (Alexandra Emmerson-Kirby) who pursues her dream of performing on “The Corny Collins Show” and works to make the show in the process. The story’s core messages of self-love, acceptance, and social activism have continued to resonate across generations and are still very relevant in today’s world.

Neil Hurst brought Edna Turnblad to a whole new level and after seeing him in The Full Monty I knew he was a force to be reckoned with. Neil’s energy is contagious and his comedy scenes with husband Wilbur (Dermot Canavan) were flawless. The chemistry between the two made everyone laugh and they were the perfect duo.

I was amazed to find that this is Alexandra’s professional debut. She is a star and I can’t wait to see her in future shows. Her voice is beautiful with an incredible range and her eyes and facial expressions tell a story of their own.

Michelle Ndegwa as Motormouth Maybelle was a standout role for me. She brought warmth and empowerment to her character, making every moment on stage captivating. Her performance of “I Know Where I’ve Been” was unforgettable. As she sang the song, the photos and names of the activists appeared on the screen behind her, adding a powerful impact that gave me chills.

The entire cast was phenomenal, and coupled with possibly the best soundtrack in musical history, this show couldn’t have been better. It exceeded all expectations I had and I would attend all twelve remaining shows if I could!!

Get your tickets for this brilliant, must-see show here: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/hairspray-the-musical/palace-theatre-manchester/.