Baltimore, 1962. It’s a time when was at its peak. Tracy Turnblad, a big-hearted local singer and dancer cherishes a long-held dream to make her name on national TV. Many trials and tribulations lie in wait, but eventually she wins through a successful audition that gives her the opportunity to meet her heart-throb on The Corny Collins Show, where segregation was expected to be rigidly enforced. But, protestors cause ructions to the extent that they clash during a live transmission and are jailed. Let the fun begin.

There are a series of entertaining performances from familiar television and theatre personalities including Tony Maudlesley (Benidorm), Peter Duncan (Blue Peter), Brenda Edwards (X Factor), and Claire Sweeney (Brookside, Educating Rita and Chicago). Brenda Edwards playing Motormouth Maybelle lived up to her character’s name while Freya Sutton’s Tracy is just perfect. The whole ensemble provide a show that’s loud and long with plenty of belly laughs along the way.

For anyone who enjoys a musical delight Hairspray has to be on their Christmas (miss it at your peril) list. Funny, entertaining, catchy numbers and virtually non stop dancxing with afinale that had the audiecne on their feet demanding more.

Over the years I’ve seen and joined in many standing ovations but I honestly cannot recall one to equal the reaction to this performance. it would have gone on into the small hour if the cast had had sufficient energy.

Overall a great nights’ entertainment that demands maximum support and proves that when it comes to providing genuine entertainment the Alex has no better.