CLOTHING FOR * MEN * * WOMEN * * CHILDREN * 2 Chequers Court Huntingdon 01480 459009 6 High St St Neots 01480 215642 When we were first granted performing rights to Hair- spray, back in March 2009, a tingle of excitement ran through the team. Following the cast trip to the West End to see the show this quickly changed to nervous fear! Although to the outsider Hairspray appears to be a happy, fun loving show it soon became apparent that be- hind all the hilarity were some seriously difficult vocals, demanding dance routines and challenging characterisa- tions. In addition, a West End style set needed to be con- structed from scratch, 1950’s & 60’s costumes had to be sourced and beehive hairdo’s had to be created! With over 1.7 million people having now seen the show in the West End it was important to me to remain as true to the London show as possible. So in September 2009 the Spotlight cast embarked on a gruelling rehearsal schedule, challenging them in more ways than any other previous show. Being true professionals, they all stepped up to the mark and I know you will be astounded with the energy and commitment they put in to this performance. It would be remiss of me not to mention the rest of the Production team, too many to be named individually, who have supported me in delivering my vision and with- out their help this production would not have been possible. So, sit back, relax and be transported to 1960’s Baltimore, where our cast are ready to give you an unforgettable evenings entertainment. Graham Wilkinson Spotlight Costume & Set Hire We now have over 14,000 theatrical, period, panto- mime & fancy dress costumes available for hire, to- gether with evening/prom dresses , all at very rea- sonable rates. These can be viewed at our barn in Abbots Ripton by appointment. We will also post them anywhere within the UK. Many are from the West End and BBC and have featured in our past shows including Grease (1950's), A Whitechapel Tale (Victorian), Bugsy Malone (1920's), Disco Inferno (1970’s), 42nd Street (1930’s), Back to the 80’s (1980’s) and Hairspray (1950’s) and include period hats, bags, shoes/boots and jewellery. We have many other costumes that would work for plays and shows set in all historical periods. So whether it's for a theatrical production, a special party/prom, or for Fancy Dress, please contact us for more information or visit our website. Additionally we are always happy to hire full sets or pieces of scenery for your theatrical productions. Tel: 01480 450948 Email: [email protected] : www.spotlight-costumes.co.uk Hairspray opens in June 1962, as plus sized teenager Tracy Turnblad wakes up ready for another day “Good Morning Baltimore”. After school, she and best friend, Penny Pingleton, watch The Corny Collins Show, starring “The Nicest Kids in Town”. While Tracy and Penny sigh over handsome Link Larkin, Tracy’s mother, Edna, slaves away at her ironing board. Penny’s mother, Prudy Pingleton, expresses her disap- proval of teenagers dancing to “coloured music”. Edna points out that it “ain’t coloured, the TV’s black and white!” In the studio, show producer, Velma Von Tussle, instructs her teen-queen daughter and Link’s girlfriend, Amber, to hog the camera, while berating Corny, the host, about including songs with “that Detroit sound”. She reminds him that they have to steer the kids “in the white direc- tion”. On air, Corny announces auditions for an opening on the show, as well as the national broadcast of the forthcoming “Miss Teenage Hairspray 1962” contest. Tracy wants to audition for the show. Edna is sceptical, fearing Tracy’s size will lead to rejec- tion, but her father, Wilbur (owner of the Har-de-Har Hut Joke Shop), tells Tracy to follow her dream. While Edna tells Tracy to forget about going to the audition, Velma and Prudy argue with their daughters, Amber and Penny. The girls stubbornly resist their mothers, declaring “Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now”. Making their own decision, Tracy and Penny race into the WZZT studios just as the auditions are ending. Tracy sees Link and swoons “I Can Hear the Bells.” Velma rejects Tracy, sneering at her weight and lamenting that times certainly have changed since she was crowned “Miss Baltimore Crabs”. At school, Tracy’s hairdo lands her in detention, where she befriends Seaweed J. Stubbs, the son of Motormouth Maybelle (the host of once-a-month “Negro Day” on The Corny Collins Show.) At a school dance, Tracy catches Corny’s eye while doing steps she learned from Sea- weed. The next day, an astonished Edna and Wilbur see Tracy on TV, the newest member of the Corny Collins Council. Link sings the latest hit, “It Takes Two”, dedicating it to Tracy, now an overnight sensation. After her mother forgives her, Tracy takes Edna out on the town for a fashion makeover (“Welcome to the ’60s”). During a rough scatter dodgeball game, Amber knocks out her rival, Tracy. To cheer her up, Seaweed invites Tracy, Link and Penny (who has an immediate crush on him) to his mother’s record shop (“Run and Tell That”). Motormouth Maybelle welcomes them warmly; Tracy won- ders why they can’t all dance together on the show and plans to lead a protest during “Mother- Daughter Day.” Link rejects the idea, fearing it will hurt his chance to be on national TV. He leaves a heartbroken Tracy to go back to Amber. Edna is dubious about joining the protest. She is self-conscious about her weight, but Motor- mouth persuades her to accept herself — after all, they’re both “Big, Blonde & Beautiful”. The demonstration turns into a riot; the police arrive and drag Tracy and all the women off to jail. Act Two opens in the women’s house of detention, “The Big Dollhouse”. Everyone is released on bail, except Tracy, who is moved to solitary confinement. Wilbur comforts a downcast Edna (“Timeless to Me”). Meanwhile, Link realises his love for Tracy and breaks her out of jail (using a blowtorch improvised with a lighter and a can of hairspray), and Seaweed rescues Penny from her mother’s clutches (“Without Love”). The four flee to Motormouth’s record shop. She reminds them that the fight against injustice is neverending (“I Know Where I’ve Been”). The next day, Corny’s prime-time show is in full swing and ready to announce the winner of “Miss Teenage Hairspray 1962” (“Hairspray”). Amber and Tracy are finalists for the title of “Miss Teenage Hairspray 1962”. Amber performs a dance she dedicates to the absent Tracy (“Cooties”). Just as it looks like Amber has won the crown, Tracy bursts in from the audience to claim victory and perform a dance that’s dedicated to everyone. They all dance together; black and white, fat and thin, young and old, as Tracy leads the com- pany in declaring “You Can’t Stop the Beat.” Rebecca Olaofe Motormouth Mabelle Hairspray is my first Spotlight perform- Kath Wyatt ance and my debut on stage! I’ve loved Tracy Turnblad every single minute of it and have made so many friends. It’s been possibly one of the best experiences of my life and I’d This is my first year with Spotlight and love to do it all over again! I was honoured to get the part of Tracy. I am in year 12 at Hinching- Hannah Butson brooke studying music, art, drama and English literature. Have a good night. Penny Pingleton This is my second show with Spotlight; I Alastair Farrall-Daniel am currently in Year Eleven at Abbey Edna Turnblad College and am delighted to be a part of such a wonderful show! I am Ali and this will be my third show as a principal. This has been my most challenging but interesting role yet. Junior Russell Hope you enjoy the show. Seaweed J. Stubbs Anna-Louise Malcolm This is my first performance with Spot- light and I think Hairspray is a great Velma Von Tussell show. I am privileged to be able to per- form a character such as Seaweed with According to my sources this is my a talented group such as this. 5th and final Spotlight show as I’m heading to University in September to study interior architecture. It’s James Ruddy hard work being a ‘bitch’, so hope you all really enjoy the show. xx Link Larkin With not a great deal of acting experi- Tegan Jolly ence , joining Spotlight was a big step up Amber Von Tussell for me, but I’ve loved every minute of it. Hairspray has been a challenge but has been really enjoyable and I will never While I’ve been in many productions with forget the fantastic time I’ve had doing it. a wide range of groups (too many to list!) this is my first show with Spotlight and I can honestly say I’ve loved every minute! Constance Richardson Little Inez Jamie O ’ Donnell This will be my 4th show with Spotlight and my very first principal role! Hairspray Corny Collins is such an amazing show and I feel so privileged to be part of it. I hope you enjoy Hey I’m Jamie or 'Corny' if you pre- what we’ve got in store for you. xx fer. I previously played a Star Wars loving High School geek! so sit back, relax and enjoy the wonderful plot great characters and most of all the Laura Holliday BIG HAIR! Prudy Pingleton, Gym Mistress & Patrick Farrall-Daniel Prison Matron Wilbur Turnblad 40 - something lady seeks friendship.