Cast members of Hairspray by Lumen Christi College.
Camera IconCast members of Hairspray by Lumen Christi College. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Lumen Christi College’s production of Hairspray a huge success

Francis CurroComment News

The story of big-haired high school student Tracy Turnblad overcoming prejudice to become a star on a hit television show won the hearts of local theatre-goers.

Played by 14-year-old Asher Harris of Harrisdale, Tracy not only fights her own battle for acceptance, but also for racial integration of a 1960s TV show. Following tradition of the role of Edna Turnblad being played by a man, the college cast head boy Jared Stephenson as Tracy’s sassy mother. Jared had audiences in fits of laughter with his flawless delivery of Edna’s snappy dialogue.

Hairspray has an extremely challenging musical score and the discovery of the show was the soulful voice of Year 12 student Alisha Francis, who embodied the role of Motormouth Maybelle and brought real emotion and that Motown sound to the Lumen stage. Accompanied by talented students from the Lumen Christi College Swing band, Alisha amazed audiences with her mature and bluesy sound.

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Director Sarah Hamilton said the play was great fun and spread an important message of equality and unity that made it an important piece of art

“Our last musical, Guys & Dolls, in 2014 was a smash hit but Hairspray didn’t let us down,” she said.