November 23, 2007
By Lucille Davie
WHEW, I had to take a big, joyous breath after Hairspray. The exuberance, talent and energy that reverberated from the stage was breathtaking.
The costumes, the singing, the choreography, the sets . . . were just marvellous. Cathrine Hopkins as Tracy Turnblad was made for the role, full of bounce and good-naturedness, and with a good voice too.
Hairdos and hairspray overflows in Hairspray
Harry Sideropoulos was perfect as Edna Turnblad – big, busty but also kind and sweet – almost hard to believe she's a he. And a great match for husband Wilbur Turnblad, played by Mike Huff. Their song together, You're timeless to me, was a masterpiece.
And then there's Mara Louw as Motormouth Maybelle - her voice just knocks everyone else off the stage. Her rendition of I know where I've been brought tears to her eyes, and probably to many other eyes in the audience too.
Kate Normington as Velma von Tussle, Jo Galloway as Amber von Tussle,
Dane Paarmanas as Link Larken, Earl Gregory as Seaweed, Vicky Friedman as Penny Pingleton complete a perfect cast.
The Dynamites - Nonhle Makhaya, Pulane Rampoana and Ntambo Rapatla - are slick and gorgeous.
The story is set in 1960s Baltimore, the time of flouncy skirts, Elvis, tall teased hairdos, hairspray . . . and segregation.
Tracy just doesn't fit in with the crowd, with her larger shape and her anti-segregation sentiments. But that doesn't mean she doesn't have ambitions like everyone else. Hers is to be on the Corny Collins Show, where she hopes to demonstrate her talent.
Despite being called a "chummy communist girl", "a blemish", "a blackhead", "a beehive buffalo", and "hefty hideaway", by her enemies, Amber and her gang, she proves to be bigger than them. Her vision includes making every day "Negro day", in contrast to every day being "white day". Her colour-blindness message will be relevant for South Africans for some time still.
But it's the chubbiness message that is just as relevant today. As waistlines and bottoms getting bigger and bigger, it's important to keep perspective on the sensitivities of larger people.
Exuberance and energy abound on stage with Hairspray
The new 1 100-seat Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City is a success, reminiscent of theatres of old, with lots of gold moulding, grand chandeliers, and plush gold and red carpets and seats.
The city is just blooming with musicals - The Lion King at the new Montecasino Teatro, on until January next year, Umoja at the revamped Victory Theatre, on until March, and of course, Hairspray on until 16 March.
The show premiered on 28 October in Joburg. Hairspray is also showing in London's West End and on Broadway in the US, so you'll be in good company when you make your way down south.
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