BOS Musical Theatre Company’s production of Hairspray runs in Southport from May 23-May 30
Welcome to the 60s Southport
NODA (National Operatic Dramatic Association) Award winning BOS Musical Theatre Company are ironing out the tensions in their latest 1960s animated yet prolific, stage performance of Hairspray showing at the Little Theatre, Southport.
BOS MTC have received great achievements, with member Jamie Lester winning ‘Best Actor’ for his portrayal of the King in the company’s production of ‘The King and I’ in May 2014. In Hairspray, ground-breaking extremist student Tracy Turnblad, played by Bethany Lewis (centre), works tirelessly for race integration. With help from the Dynamites and Pinkies, Tracy transports her mother from the dreary life of ironing other people’s laundry, into a vibrant, diverse and energetic world of colour and dance.
The show’s choreographer, Mary Forbes, has had cast members performing moves to bring this fun and action packed show alive. ” From a choreographer’s point of view HAIRSPRAY is quite a challenging show; there are more than twenty musical numbers in which I am involved and, as it is stylised in the ‘sixties era’ the show is very lively and bright. Different styles need to be shown between the All American White teenagers and the Black American teenagers, and these culminate in a combination of the two styles in the final scene. The cast are showing great enthusiasm and dedication, and we are all stepping up to the challenge.”
The spoken and sung dialogue both lively and nonchalant, under the management of Musical Director Charles Moss and show Director Liz Clarke, will wow and enthuse the audiences. Charles notes, “Together with a talented cast of principals, the Company has worked hard over the past few months and all members of the cast have risen to the challenges of incorporating the music into lively dance routines. Hairspray is a musically challenging show with complex close harmonies which rely heavily upon a younger chorus of “School Council Students” as well as an adult chorus predominantly led by the Dynamites”.
Director Liz tells us, “I was thrilled to have been given the opportunity to direct Hairspray. The show is a huge celebration of family, music, dance and joy, but one that speaks directly to the issues of racism and bigotry which are still as much of a challenge today as they were in 1960s Baltimore. It is a pleasure to work with such a talented and enthusiastic cast. It is particularly rewarding to know that we have provided some of our younger members, who are appearing on stage for the first time, the opportunity to develop their confidence and to learn how to work with people of all ages and from all walks of life. I feel passionately that this is what amateur theatre should be about…theatre for all! I love the message at the heart of Hairspray which teaches us to celebrate who we are and to see the beauty within every one of us. The characters show that we can achieve our dreams with self-belief and of course a little touch of hairspray!
John Waters, the writer of Hairspray once said; “It wasn’t until I started reading and found books they wouldn’t let us read in school that I discovered you could be insane and happy and have a good life without being like everybody else.” ……..John Waters
What a lovely world it would be if we all shared that ethos!
Hairspray, showing at the Little Theatre, Southport from Saturday 23rd May until Saturday 30th May excluding Sunday 24th May, courtesy of BOS Musical Theatre Company.
Advanced ticket sales from 1st April 2015 on 01704 564042, Theatre Box Office open daily from Saturday 16th May 2015, 11am – 2:30pm on 01704 530521
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