REVIEW: Hairspray – at the Festival Theatre, Malvern, from Monday, October 5 to Saturday, October 10, 2015.

WHAT an absolute cracker of a show!

A smash-hit since the nozzle on the can was first pressed in 2002, this comedy-musical still has the ability to let loose that special appeal to lift the heart and delight and dazzle an audience.

During an often frantic and fun-filled two-and-a-half-hours its 20 songs, including the pounding finale - You Can’t Stop the Beat, are belted out, but it does have its softer moments. The show has a more serious side too, set as it is in 1962 Baltimore when the American Civil Rights movement was really getting into its stride.

That said, the integration theme is quite measured and the over-riding elements to this show take over - having fun and providing the feel-good factor.

Tracy Turnblad, played with considerable vibrancy by the excellent Freya Sutton - who is reprising the role, is a big girl with big hair. She also harbours an even bigger dream! That’s to dance her way onto national TV, and into the heart of teen idol Link Larkin (Ashley Gilmour).

Tracy’s audition for The Corny Collins Show makes her a local star and soon she is using her new-found fame to fight for integration. But can she win equality – and Link’s heart – without denting her ‘do?

Outstanding performances too from Claire Sweeney (Educating Rita, Chicago) as the colour prejudiced studio manager Velma Von Tussle and Brenda Edwards (Chicago, We Will Rock You, X Factor) as Motormouth Maybelle.

Tony Maudsley, a regular face in films and on our tv screens - and more recently resplendent in colourful vest and tight-fitting shorts in his Benidorm role as a considerably camp coiffeur artist, is Tracy Turnblad’s mother, Edna, who runs a ‘one-man’ laundry service.

Enjoyably entertaining there were moments when he was reminiscent of a mixture of Liberace and Schnozzle Durante (younger readers may need to check them out).

Meanwhile Peter Duncan, who plays Tracy’s dad - Wilbur Turnblad, shows there is more to him than his hey-day as a children’s television presenter. A seasoned theatrical performer his all too brief double-acts with Edna were another high-point.

Commendable performances too from Dex Lee (Seaweed) and Karis Jack (Little Inez) and others, with first rate music from the band led by musical director Ben Atkinson.

There’s that much singing talent on show it really does serve to emphasise how difficult it is for truly talented voices to get that break into the big time.

Now in the fourth of its 40-week national tour, which ends in Southend in May 2016, this new Hairspray is bound to win a host of new fans, especially as Paul Kerryson directs with considerable efficiency and choreographer Drew McOnie clearly has everyone on board to engender such energetic enthusiasm.

They sure can belt them out to the best of the beat in Baltimore and this must rank among the most popular of musicals given that back in 2003 it swept the board at the 2003 Tony Awards on Broadway and some 13 years on is still as good as ever.

Need a pick-me-up tonic? It’s in the can… just press the nozzle and enjoy.