Lee Mead Forum

As some of you may know I went to see Hairspray today.
Its a great show, very colourful, in your face, brash, saucy and great fun.
Leanne Jones who plays Tracy is very good in the part, has a voice suited to the character.
Ben Ellis has developed a lot since ADWD. Lost the puppy fat , not that he was fat but he's much leaner now. He dances so well. Sings not too badly. His solo was very good.and gets to do a lot of kissing.
Michael Ball is brilliant acts his socks off. He doesn't have that big a part to sing though which was a bit disappointing.
Mel Smith was Mel Smith, not too sure why he was in a musical OH rated him but I didn't think he could sing .
There was a young black dancer singer who the school girls behind me were mad on. he was very tasty and quite good. There were some very good singers and dancers its a very big cast. Show + interval was Two and a half hours. Its not so fast moving as Joe. Also not so many demands in the acting department as its about young singers and dancers so its them doing what they do. Apart from M.B.
The tickets are very expensive £60 for row J in the royal circle. Could see everything well from there. Its very noisy they must have good accoustics in the theatre or crank up the sound.
All in all if you like musicals you'll probably like this show. I laughed a lot as did the rest of the audience.

Already said I would love to see this show, and your review has done nothing to put me off, but tickets are very expense compared to Joe and sometimes I think I would rather see Lee, again, than Ben, but my kids still owe me a birthday present from last year, so maybe a suggestion that they get me a ticket to see this (well 2 tickets, don't want to go on my own)

I have tickets for march and can not wait!!!!!!!
Meeting Ben has made me want to go and see it even more!!!
Watched the film again today and sung along at the top of my voice!!!

I loved Hairspray when I saw it :D

Its fun usn't it jessie

Sounds great Tricia! :D

It is, I was very far away, but thoroughly thoroughly enjoyed it!!! :D

My post has just been eaten. Oh well, try again.

Glad you enjoyed it, Tricia, but you don't sound overly enthusiastic. I thought it was fabulous. Loved the interaction between Mel and MB. Thought Leanne and Ben were excellent. Best of all, I thought the dancing was really slick and energetic.

Ben looked worn out when I saw him after the show and he said that he was exhausted. I wonder how the others are coping. I gather a lot of them are new to the West End.

I loved it Sal didn't mean to sound unenthusiastic

Really glad you enjoyed it Tricia

I'm hoping to go in March [ maybe you could come wih us Anne]

Anne x

Oh good Tricia. I just thought your reveiw sounded a little muted.

Oooooo I so want to see Hairspray!
xxxxx

Think that must have been the bug. And only Lee inspires me to write with real feeling.

I'm going to see this in March too, and can't wait!!

Must admit though I haven't seen the original film, the re-make or the dvd!! (Don't all shout at once!) Do you think I should before I go see the musical or just view it with a clear mind so to speak?

I went to see the film with no idea what it was about, and loved it, then when to see th musical...it won't ruin the musical if you see the film once, just don't watch it over and over or you get all the jokes in the film! It's up to you what you do :D

I saw hairspray on the 16th of february in the evening

what a show it was! from the start leanne jones playing tracy turnblad shines, she is a star with a big voice, and how she interacts with the cast is excellent, especially michael ball and ben, by far the best Tracy i've seen.
And what can I say about Michael Ball, he was a very believable Edna i forgot it was him halfway through. I never liked the song your timeless to me but after seeing him and Ian Talbot do it, I like it now :)
Then of course there's Ben, who I must admit I was worried about a bit as i wasn't convinced he was a star on Any Dream Will Do, well he proved me wrong! he was excellent and I believe is a better link larkin than zac efron. He has the whole package, another star in the making. The chemistry between him and leanne is electric, and he's very good looking which helps.
Overall the show is brilliant, if you have a chance to go and see it go, you can get day tickets for £25 and you sit in the stalls, which is what i had and i had an excellent view. You'll be dancing and singing along probaly :D

Aw Hanzel nice to see peeps who couldn't see it on ADWD ( I could) being converted. I reckon I have a good radar system- my three fav Joes are all doing well in the West End :-P

Ooooh 6 sleeps until i see Hairspray!
Can i start getting excited now???

Seems okay to me Rachel

Squeeeeeeeeeee 6 sleeps!!!!!

A very bouncy Rachel .
So you are going on Monday :