I Couldn't Stop the Beat! (Hairspray)

Member Name: skysky69

Product:	Hairspray
Date:	05/05/09 (41 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fantastic show, brilliant cast, full of energy

Disadvantages: Ticket price, Michael Ball leaving in July

Having always been a closet fan of Michael Ball, I really wanted to see this show before his exit in July this year. I had some cash for my birthday which I decided to spend on two tickets for me and my husband. At £62.50 per ticket (for a decent seat), I thought it was quite pricey, but I suppose that most of the West End shows are now in this kind of price range unless they are not selling enough tickets and have a sale.

The theatre itself is nice and doesn't look dated or tired and the seats i the Royal Circle were excellent. The story focuses on Tracy Turnblad and her rather drippy friend Penny. There are so many different aspects to the story with Tracy's love interest Link Larkin, prejudice towards her because of her weight and wanting to dance, racial segregation (as it is set in Baltimore in the 60s) all of which, even though have a serious message, leave you smiling from ear to ear!

The songs are extremely catchy and you will find yourself humming them for days afterwards. I would advise, they were selling the soundtrack from the Original Broadway cast at the theatre, for £15.00 and when I got home, they are selling the same CD on Play.com for £4.99 including free delivery! My favourite songs are definitely You Can't Stop the Beat, Good Morning Baltimore and Timeless to Me, although there wasn't a bad song amongst them.

We had the stand in Link Larkin instead of Ben Ellis and also Wilbur was also played by the stand in and not Nigel Planer, but I have to say, the two actors were absolutely fantastic.

I would recommend this show to absolutely anyone! I have seen quite a few shows now, and this is definitely up there in my top 5. It is a real feel good show that makes most people want to get up and dance!

Summary: An asbolute must see in the West End - brilliant!