Hairspray (03/07/10, Leeds Grand Theatre)

Last Saturday I saw Hairspray at the theatre for the second time, last time was a year ago in London, when Michael Ball was playing Edna Turnblad. This time I went with 13 friends and relatives to the touring version in Leeds, with Brian Conley as Edna, and Nigel Planer as Wilbur (who may have been in the London version too). 

There turned out not to be much to pick between Ball or Conley's Ednas, except of course Conley doesn't have the voice that Ball has, and he needed more padding. Either way, this second viewing was just as good as the first, if not better! Laurie Scarth was a phenomenal Tracy Turnblad, and Liam Doyle's Link Larkin looked mighty fine from where I was sitting. Gillian Kirkpatrick's Velma Von Tussle was better in Leeds than in London, she seemed to make a more delicious baddy.

Hairspray is one of the best musicals I've ever seen, if not The Best, though it would be a close run thing with The Lion King, although Hairspray has the catchier soundtrack that I've listened to many times. I love the humour, the social commentary and of course the songs in Hairspray - the finale number You Can't Stop the Beat is a particular favourite - I love the line about the NAACP for some reason.

As a bonus for this trip to Hairspray, after the show I had my photo taken with Brian Conley himself! Plus my friend Sandra got my programme signed by Nigel Planer, Conley and Laurie Scarth, who she got to put a personalised message on there. It was the cherry on the top of a highly enjoyable, toe-tapping, hilarious night at the theatre.