Page 11 - LION YEAR MAG 2017_FS_R_Neat

h a i r s p ra y 1960’s America was brought

exquisitely and professionally to
the stage this year at Theatr
Colwyn by the inimitable Jenny
Hendy and her dedicated cast and
crew, together with the wonderful
school production 2017 school jazz band, led of course by
lotophagi extraordinaire, Dr Ward.

Big ambition, big hair, a spirit of
optimism and devil-may-care,
the ozone layer certainly
wasn’t a concern back in ’62
when the aerosols were A parent’s perspective by Heather O’Leary
liberally deployed on the
nation’s bouffants, but It is difficult to single out individual performances when the entire
racism was certainly cast was utterly convincing, but I will mention those that really
stood out for me. Hannah Eikmann was immense in the role of
endemic and Hairspray Tracy Turnblad, owning the stage throughout, and never faltering
tackles it, head on, once. Emma Mulvihill was professionalism personified as Velma,
together with a as was Bea Swindley playing Velma’s daughter Amber.
smattering of teenage George Palmer-Hall had the audience in stitches with
angst, escapism, his deadpan performance of Edna, a role made
parental ignorance, and infamous by Travolta in the film version. Josh
revolutionary ideals. It
all sounds terribly Davies pulled off a convincingly corny Corny
familiar doesn’t it? Plus Collins with aplomb, Joe Mutch a similarly
ca change, plus c’est la cheesy Link Larkin, and Kiani Geldard was
entirely captivating as Motormouth Maybelle.
meme chose (the more it Ella Tuck and Mackenzie Best had great
changes the more it’s the chemistry as Penny and Seaweed. The
same thing).
Dynamites, Molly, Ela, and Rebecca, were
I never cease to be blown away truly dynamite, and all the younger actors
by the extent to which SDC kids, on stage were simply adorable. Summer
however shy and retiring in definitely had the ‘best’ hairdo, hands down,
reality, manage to exude the indeed the army of volunteers manning the
‘canned hair’ triggers backstage all deserve
essence of confidence and theatricality on
medals, and the costumes too were utterly
stage and I was blown away yet again this
year by the utter dedication that Jenny convincing.
instinctively and seamlessly commands from You were all incredible and we were
her cast (whatever it is, bottle it!). I watched thoroughly entertained by your thespian
as my own daughter simply blossomed in antics, so thank you, I can’t wait to find out
confidence and excitement throughout the what Jenny Hendy will be pulling out of the hat
rehearsals and how she lived and breathed next year.
the musical at home for so many weeks
(much to her brother’s despair).

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