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An entertaining evening with high energy performances, great songs and ballsy music with some standout dance movements.

Loved fuller figure with the backcombed bonce Katie Brace as ‘commie agitator’ Tracie Turnblad and the gospel singing of Michelle Ndegwa as Motormouth Maybelle.

Played as a pantomime dame the cross-dressing character of Edna Turnbald (Neil Hurst) and her stage husband Wilbur (Dermot Caravan) made a great music hall double act on opening night of Hairspray at the Bristol Hippodrome.

But the Flanagan & Allen portrayal after groundbreaking series like Bridgerton and The Wire (also set in Baltimore) makes the serious subject matter of segregation an uncomfortable reminder of a dark history in our not-too-distant past.

This production doesn’t have the roving cameras when telling the story of a cheesy television competition for teens.

The story follows the plus-sized teen with big hair and an even bigger dream to dance on The Corny Collins show with kindly Declan Egan sporting an ear-to-ear corny smile and flashing teeth straight from a product placement toothpaste advertisement.

Tracy attends auditions with best pal Penny Pingleton, played by Freya McMahon, but is soon dismissed by Velma Von Tussle (Joanne Clifton) for her looks and enthusiasm to make ‘everyday negro day’.

Tracy manages to secure a place on the show with the help of Reece Richards as Seaweed, teaching her iconic moves that impress Corny enough to give her a permanent spot.

Tracy becomes an overnight sensation, becoming a role model for peers with her can-do attitude and infinite optimism and makes it her mission to achieve racial integration within the show.

Best image was the protest placards against a black and white backdrop of historic figures in the fight for racial equality.

Sometimes I fear I am too woke.

The audience on Monday evening went ecstatic.

Carol Ann Deacon

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We love you Baltimore

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Plays Bristol until Saturday, March 1.

Online tickets from £35 here https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/hairspray-the-musical/bristol-hippodrome/

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