HAIRSPRAY opened in Bristol on Tuesday this week and wow what a show it’s big, bold, loud and very colourful – Tracy Turnblad (Freya Sutton) is a quart in a pint pot full of energy and enthusiasm bursting at the seams with a very powerful message.

Set in Baltimore in the 1960’s Tracy is determined that the tv dance competition should be open to everyone regardless of the colour of your skin its time for integration not segregation.

Tracy’s dream is to be a dancer on the Corny Collins Show and to capture the heart of pin up Link Larkin and despite the best efforts of rival dancer Amber Von Tussle and her tv producer Mum to ruin her vision the girl is on a mission.

‘Timeless to Me’ performed by Edna and Wilbur was divine, the audience were in stitches as were the singers this alone was worth the price of your ticket. Edna (Mark Benton) was excellent in his role as Tracy’s mum.

A terrific cast sang their hearts out and gave their all in performing the high energy dance routines. The voice of Motormouth Maybelle (Sandra Marvin) is fully deserving of a special mention.

Runs until Saturday 17th August at the Bristol Hippodrome.