A BLAST of Hairspray doused the audience in laughter when a school was transported back in time to 1962 Baltimore.

St George’s in Harpenden put on a whole-school production of the Broadway musical Hairspray with a cast of over 80 students and a student production team of 40.

It was all hands to the deck to ensure that sets were built, dance routines were practised and lines were learnt for the three sell-out performances. More than 200 students auditioned for parts in the show back in September demonstrating the popularity of the musical with students of all ages.

Director Kirsten Robertson commented: “It’s a great show – jam-packed with catchy songs, larger-than-life characters and great comedy moments. However, the musical’s key message exploring the need for racial integration and an end to racism was also at the heart of the show.”

Highlights of the show included an exploding giant hairspray can, a 15-piece live band conducted by music teacher Alice Humphrey and outstanding performances by Naomi Hodson (who played the lead part of Tracy Turnblad) and Chris Pearce whose comical performance of Edna Turnblad (Tracy’s mother) brought the house down.