What a pleasure to have a new musical that isn’t a conglomeration of songs from the 70s or 80s with a very weak storyline linking them together. Hairspray is so refreshing with songs which, although sounding like many from the 60s, are actually all new.

In Hairspray, it’s 1962 and change is in the air. Baltimore’s Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has only one passion – to dance. She wins a spot on the local TV dance programme, The Corny Collins Show and, overnight, is transformed from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity.

But can a trendsetter in dance and fashion vanquish the programme’s reigning princess Amber Von Tussle, win the heart of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a television show without denting her hairdo? Only in Hairspray!

The musical is based upon the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters.

Hairspray is directed by Jack O’Brien and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell. One of the main features of the storyline is the breaking down of racial prejudice that was prevalent in Baltimore in the early 1960s and this is done extremely well by the performers in the show.

There are some outstanding performances and outstanding songs. Brian Conley reprises his London West End role as agoraphobic Edna Turnblad in this touring production and vocally gives it his all, especially in Mama, I’m A Big Girl Now and Welcome To The ’60s.

He makes no pretence about being a man dressed as a woman and this makes the show more hilarious.

Nigel Planer – Neil in The Young Ones – is typically pathetic yet warm as husband Wilbur and the duet between him and Brian Conley, Timeless to Me was excellent, particularly as there was one part in this where both of them couldn’t stop themselves corpsing with laughter which received warm applause from the capacity audience.

Laurie Scarth brings an incredible energy to the role of Tracy. Her rendition of “I Can Hear The Bells” confirmed she had been cast as much for her talented singing as her bouncy dancing. She and the rest of the cast perform some magnificent dance routines.

I must also make particular mention of Lauren Stroud who played the role of Tracy’s friend Penny Pingleton. Lauren is the understudy for this part but due to illness of Emma Dukes who normally plays this role she had to take over at very short notice. And what an excellent performance she produced. The Corny Collins Show numbers, such as Nicest Kids In Town and Hairspray, were an excellent showcase for the slick ensemble, but it was Motormouth Maybelle (Sandra Marvin) who really wowed the audience with the power ballad I Know Where I’ve Been.

This is a musical to set your feet tapping from the music, your jaw aching from the laughter, and your heart being warmed from the storyline. A great evening’s entertainment.