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press tickets for review

Kilworth House Theatre are serving up the absolute summer vibes this year with an incredible revival of the much-loved Broadway musical, Hairspray, acclaiming it as the first outdoor performance of the show. Think stunning venue with a fairylit path, a bar, blankets to take the chill off and the sun setting creating a atmospheric background to the already astounding set. Kilworth House Theatre understood the assignment and DELIVERED.

This is a production that will grab you from the opening line. In fact, the moment Charlotte-Hannah Jones opened up and smashed that first note in “Good Morning Baltimore” I knew it was going to be a hit.

Set in 60’s America, Hairspray does not shy away from tackling racial injustices, discrimination and segregation and leading the revolution is bold and blind optimist, Tracy Turnblad.

This production brings everything you could possibly need from a musical comedy. It has the slapstick comedy coming in strong from the incredibly humourous Edna Turnblad (Michael J Batchelor) and Wilbur (Steven Serlin) who you would consider to be a long standing double act. The quirkiness from Penny (Biancha Szynal) and her chemistry with the incredibly capitvating Seaweed (Nay-Nay) and the vocals from Motormouth Maybelle (Ayesha Maynard) and Tracy (Charlotte-Hannah Jones) were jawdropping.

If I’m honest, I could name the cast list here because every single one brought pace, energy, enthusiasm and something unique to the performance.

I especially enjoyed Amber (Holly Willock) and her powerhungry mother Von Tussle (Jenny Gayner) finding they had the roles down. I loved the pair of them. Corny Collins (Liam Doyle) was everything you’d hope from the role, nailing that backseat hero paired with an ooze of charisma and charm.

Direction and choreography wise, I was impressed. I especially relished in the performance of ‘I Can See the Bells’ and loved seeing the vision come to life. The split stage performance of ‘Mama. I’m a Big Girl Now’ was wonderful and Motormouths performance of ‘I Know Where I’ve Been’ sent shivers down my back.

You’ll be truly hooked with the energy and enthusiasm from the cast and the finale will have you dancing and singing for the rest of the night.

Kilworth House Theatre have brought something incredibly special to Leicester this year with Hairspray.

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Kilworth House Theatre
27th Jun – 6th Aug 2023
Contains strobe lighting, pyrotechnics, sudden sound effects plus smoke and haze effects.