Review: Hairspray *****

A musical dealing with racial segregation in America, prejudice against overweight people and high school bullying could be a dismal affair. But not if it's Hairspray, the fabulous feelgood musical that exploded onto the Grand Theatre stage on its first UK tour.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Jun 2010, 15:01 BST
Updated 9th Jul 2010, 16:57 BST

Set in Baltimore in the 1960s it tells the story of Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and a passion for dancing as she sets out to follow her dreams, inspire her larger than life mother and win the boy

she loves.

Along the way she wins a spot on a local TV dance programme, is transformed to a teen celebrity, beats the evil Amber and is crowned Miss Hairspray as well as been successful in integrating the black community into

TV dance.

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Hairspray is a high energy show with an even higher energy cast who sing and dance their way effortlessly through brilliantly choreographed routines with precision and panache.

As Edna, Tracy's larger than life mother, Brian Conley makes the transformation from a shy housewife afraid to leave the house to an ebullient supersize femme fatale who "likes the way she is" without losing any of the motherly warmth of the character.

His comedy timing and facial expressions say it all, especially in the scenes with Nigel Planer, Edna's long suffering husband. Together they are "pure gold".

But the night belonged to North Yorkshire-born Laurie Scarth who as Tracy Turnblad convinced the audience that you don't have to be super skinny to be superstar.

Leeds Grand Theatre

To July 3.