HAIRSPRAY’S a happy choice for the Garrick’s end of season musical.

Filmed in 1988 and 2007, it sits more comfortably on a stage.

It’s so comfortable on the Garrick stage, it makes the Garrick seem more like a musical theatre than a playhouse.

Set in 1962 Baltimore, the Marc Shaiman//Scott Wittman musical features big haired, overweight Tracy Turnblad (Olivia Tringham) who longs to become a dancer on the Corny Collins’ Show.

Eventually, she and her friend, Penny Pingleton (Abigail Harper) are auditioned. Tracy gets the job and eventually the love of teenage heart throb, Link Larkin, (Michael Twigg), a would-be Elvis with a great voice.

Olivia Tringham portrays a caring and enthusiastic Tracy who eventually wins her fight against discrimination.

She sings catchy songs such as her opening number, Good Morning Baltimore and Welcome to the Sixties with her mum.

Tracy’s loving parents are played by Andrew Lee as her mum and Ivor Farley as her dad. Their duet Timeless to Me is warm and funny. Andrew does well to dress in glittery frocks, wear high heels and dance.

The baddies are Amber Von Tussle and her mother, Velma, racists who resent Tracy’s campaign to promote black talent.

These two are portrayed in pantomime fashion by Clare Louise Garrett and Stephanie Niland. Amber’s pouting resentment at Tracy’s success is classic.

Nicole Battick’s Motormouth Maybelle has a voice which stands out especially when she sings I know Where I’ve Been.

Thanks to choreographer, Debbie Norris and her assistant, Jess Hill, the non-stop dancing to Daniel McDwyers’ musicians, is well co-ordinated in this riot of fun, romance, colourful costumes and dramatic wigs.

* Hairspray is at the Garrick until Saturday, June 11. For tickets, telephone 0161 928 1677 or book online at altrinchamgarrick.co.uk. Star rating: * * * *