Review: Stars in the making shine in high school production of Hairspray

Students who performed in this year's production of Hairspray. Photo/Supplied

In theatre there are few things more satisfying than teenagers playing teenagers and having the utmost fun doing so.

Such it was with the joint Girls' and Boys' High Schools' production of the 60's Broadway hit Hairspray, that's been the hottest number in town over the past week or so.

What a pity if you missed it. This really was a class performance thanks to the energy, enthusiasm and dedication of the 40-plus young people on stage and another 40 behind it.

Together they formed a tight-knit team drawn from both schools' student pools.

Adults, of course, have been the drivers but it's the youngsters who took this theatrical bus, with its underlying message of racial integration, to its destination attracting full houses and rapturous applause.

Parents and extended whanau had every reason to be proud, but when that pride flows on to those who have no connections to either school, this reviewer included, then the seal's set on what was a genuine class act.

Bedevilled by winter bugs, some shows had to be cancelled. Regardless, the youthful cast picked up where they left off, their zeal and enthusiasm making up for the missed performances.

A few may have remained croaky. Who knew? If flu still lurked, cast and audience were having too much of a good time to give it a thought.

Under the direction of Girls' High drama teacher, Bridget Donovan, and her musical counterpart Laura Falconer (welcome home, Laura) these youngsters gelled into a cohesive cast any established musical theatre would give its eye teeth to emulate.

Each performer deserves applause but the loudest must go to Michael Godfrey-Kepa as Edna Turnblad the plus plus-sized mommy for his great gender cross-over and providing proof of the show's many brilliant one liners "the bigger your girth the more life's worth".

Vocally, it was Manawa Rongo-Apanui as Motormouth Maybelle who stole the show. At 16 she has a voice with a range that must surely make the stage her future destiny.

It hurts to single out a mere two when each and every one of these talented young men and women are brilliant performers in their own right.

Be proud Rotorua, be very proud that our schools are nurturing so many young stars-in-the-making.

- Jill Nicholas