The Broadway hit Hairspray has finally made its debut on the West Coast, and what a triumph this production is. At the heart of the show is a message of acceptance and the fight against prejudice.
Directed by Vincent Hooper, a sensational cast is led by Paige Fallu as Tracey Turnblad. She commands the stage with her bright, bubbly personality and great vocals.
John Berry as Link Larkin’s performance is utterly charming and sincere. His voice is fresh and pure and boy can he move. The magical chemistry with Fallu is evident throughout the show and their voices blend as one during their duets.
Rob Palmer as Edna Turnblad is hilariously comical as he struts around with the walk of a male, dressed in some unflattering dresses. He’s no drag queen! Along with Brendan Hanson as Wilbur Turnblad, the duos comedic skills are evident as they milk the audience for laughs. Their rendition of Timeless to Me had the audience in fits of laughter.
Chelsea Plumley’s performance as Velma Von Tussle and Elaina O’Connor as her daughter Amber, were another highlight of the show. With their high pitched voices they also exhibited their comical skills. Plumley’s performance of The Legend of Miss Baltimore Crab was faultless and her climatic ending a crowd pleaser.
Choreography by Thern Reynolds, was eclectic and true to the era. It was slick and tight, performed by a talented cast of dancers. Berry’s robot like movements during the I Can Hear the Bells dream sequence, was one of the highlights.
Paula Parore as Motor Mouth Maybelle belted out a powerful rendition of Big Blonde and Beautiful, which was appreciated by the audience.
The only thing letting down the performance, on opening night, was issues with the sound. Microphones cutting in and out sometimes meant missing some of the dialogue and punch lines. I’m sure it was just as frustrating for the cast as it was for the audience.
This aside, the production is world class and not to be missed. With a well deserved standing ovation, Hairspray is a hilarious, fun night of entertainment that will have you leaving the theatre tapping your feet.
HAIRSPRAY The Musical
Crown Theatre Perth, Great Eastern Highway, Burswood
Performance: Sunday 8 September 2024
Season continues to 28 September 2024
Bookings: www.ticketmaster.com.au
For more information, visit: www.hamaproductions.com.au for details.
Images: HAIRSPRAY The Musical (supplied)
Review: Craig Dalglish