A few months ago, one my good friends asked me if I would accompany him to the theatre as he wanted to go and see Hairspray and had no-one to go with.
Well, I never need an excuse to watch a musical AND Hairspray is fabulous so I instantly said Yes!
The touring version of the West End show was playing near my home town and so he asked if I would be free to attend on Saturday 5th February in Northampton.
Of course I jumped at the chance and started to think about which of my 1950’s style outfits I could wear. I mean, it wasn’t like I didn’t have a huge amount to choose from.
All Rollered Up
Eventually the weekend came around and he had arranged to stay at a local hotel as he lives a couple of hours away. Picking him up from the train station, we discussed what we hoped the show would be like and also the different outfits that could possibly be my ensemble of choice.
Saturday morning came and I was still deciding which of four outfits I wanted to wear.
First up was the Mocha Cupcake Cocktail Dress. One of my favourite outfits since I got it from Unique Vintage around 18 months ago. Having only worn it twice, I needed somewhere marvellous to wear it and Hairspray seemed a great choice.
Cupcake Cutie
Secondly was a gorgeous Ruby Red Cocktail Dress with a huge tulle skirt. This was another dress that had been worn rarely, in fact just the once at Twinwood a couple of years ago.
Lady In Red
My third option was a perennial favourite of mine, the turquoise and fuchsia dress and bolero that I have had for a number of years but absolutely love.
Turquoise Totty
The last choice was the very first vintage style dress that I ever had; a purple and hot pink flower bedecked dress that reminded me of Doris Day. I had worn it for my 40th birthday and it still holds wonderful memories.
Violet Vixen
Eventuall I decided on Turquoise and Fuchsia and added colour co-ordinated accessories; full petticoat, jewellery, hair flowers and shoes.
Throwing on the matching bolero, I added my lucite bag and was all ready to go.
Heading to the Derngate in order to have a drink before the show started, it was amazing to see so many people milling around. Theatre and live events have taken such a knock over the COVID period, that the return of the audience was just wonderful.
Hairspray Honey
The seats we had were in the stalls and not too far from the front. I was super excited to be there as although I have seen the film on numerous occasions, I had never been to see it live.
I was utterly thrilled to find out that Brenda Edwards was starring as Motormouth Maybelle and Norman Pace as Wilbur. Both stalwarts of the West End, they really lit up the stage, with Brenda blowing the roof off the theatre with the brilliant ‘I Know Where I’ve Been’
The scene stealer, of course, has to be Edna Turnblad. Performed by Alex Bourne , she really was just off the scale funny and also a fantastic proponent of being a big, beautiful woman.
Theatre Time
Watching the funny, clever, thought provoking, body positive show was wonderful. The irony of being sat in the audience with my black friend as a fat, white woman was not lost on me – if you are not aware of the storyline, Tracey Turnblad wants to dance but is deemed fat and therefore unattractive.
Add to that the fact that black people are only allowed on the TV on ‘Negro day’, as well as a side story of forbidden love between Seaweed and straightlaced Penny highlights the injustice. Whilst the show deals with it wonderfully well, it still seems alien to think that this happened in the not so distant past.
In my parents era, in fact. The thought of that simply blows my mind, if I am honest. I cannot imagine NOT being able to have friends of every colour, gender, sexuality, religion or belief. The show deals with a lot of stereotypes and for a humerous production, it does it so very well.
Awaiting the Start
Sadly it was over far too soon and we left the theatre, heading back to the car where all you could hear around you was the buzz of compliments and positive things being said about the show.
I know that Hairspray is in the middle of a UK tour, so if you do get the chance to see it, I highly recommend it.
Not only will it have you dancing in your seats, but make you think too.
Till next time,
SPSG xxx