Students on a par with the pros in lively musical

The versatility of students at Warwick Academy never ceases to amaze as they pull off yet another stellar production. Unlike in so many  school productions, these students are on a par with the professionals.

The talent is exceptional in the comedy musical that is not only witty but also morally and politically aware. They glide through their roles effortlessly and deliver their lines flawlessly to keep the audience’s attention.

Hairspray is musical magic at its best as it’s a feel-good show where teenagers in love, large appetites, a mom in drag and being outrageously camp are all celebrated to excess.

The story is on the predictable side but it is the students’ portrayal of the larger than life characters, who wouldn’t look out of place in a pantomime, that win your hearts.

It’s Baltimore in 1962 and Tracy Turnblad (Izabella Arnold) has big dreams and a big heart, but also a big waistline. She “knows every step and every song” and is desperate to be famous, but just doesn’t have the look to appear on the Corny Collins TV dance show.

However, nothing is going to stop her as she goes against all the odds and auditions for the show. Not only does she pull it off, she also wins the affections of heart-throb Link Larkin (Kieran Hamilton) and ends the show’s segregation to allow black and white teens to dance together.

Arnold is a talented all-rounder who excels in the lead heroine role. She works so hard on stage yet makes it look so easy bounding around with nothing but optimism. She acts, sings and dances magnificently.

Chris Dyer pushed the show over the top with his great stage presence as the flamboyant and oh-so-lovable Edna Turnblad. He dances particularly well in high heels and his love duet Timeless to Me with husband Wilbur (Matthew Wedlich) proved to be one of the warmest and most loving moments in the show.

Emma Keane and Sydney Neal (who play mom and daughter Velma and Amber Von Tussle) did a great job of trying to hog the limelight while looking down their nose at everyone. Davies is a perfectly made-up Barbie doll character with a constant high-pitched whine and Keane is a real Grinch who is hilarious with her exaggerated wickedness.

Anna Dobson is a little too convincing as the overly religious Prudy Pingleton. Her highlight came as she picked on unsuspecting members of the audience. One man was “a dirty disgusting creature” for “touching her derriere” while a woman was a “dirty harlot of hell” for not wearing a wedding ring.

Special mention has to be given to India Wilson, whose talent shone through as Little Inez. This young girl is definitely heading towards a career in the limelight.

The musical score is made up of bouncy, tuneful numbers that pay homage to the ‘60s. You’ll be singing along to the catchy Good Morning Baltimore and the corny The Nicest Kids in Town.

But it was Shana Parker (Motormouth Mabel) who bought the house down as she led the anti-racism protest with a powerful rendition of the gospel-esque I Know Where I’ve Been. Parker has an awesome voice and this standout performance fully deserved the huge applause that it got.

The fast-paced and incredibly slick production successfully kept its momentum as it moved from one location to another. The glittery set was a riot of colour and successfully covered multiple locations with two sub-sets either side of the main stage.

The colourful and sometimes garish costumes paid attention to every little detail. There also wasn’t a step out of place as the creative and energetic dance routines mixed up the cha-cha, twist and hot potato with rhythm and blues. And there was no shortage of cheesy gags relating to big bosoms, manhood size and how many people had touched up Marilyn Monroe.

Lines such as “negroes can’t be on TV, people could be eating their dinner” and “being invited places by coloured people feels so hip” touched a nerve with the crowd.

But by the show’s fairytale ending, black and white, men and women, old and young, thin and fat have all come together to llustrate just how wonderful the world can be if we all work together.

As Tracy was crowned Miss Teenage Hairspray, the Can’t Stop The Beat finalé is guaranteed to send you home humming, if not dancing.

Hairspray is an incredibly entertaining show which is as inspiring and heart-warming as it is just plain good old-fashioned fun. This is a tribute to the Warwick Academy kids who have already got what it takes to be future stars.