Hairspray at Newcastle Theatre Royal is a feel-good and uplifting cure for the winter blues

It’s big, brash, funny, and heartwarming and the singing is the best you will hear on stage. And so a packed audience whooped, cheered, clapped and were eventually on their feet for Hairspray.

Based on a 1988 comedy film by John Waters, it was turned into a musical in 2002 and was even made into a film starring John Travolta as Edna in 2007. And on Thursday, Hairspray played its 1,000th performance at Newcastle Theatre Royal, which is an amazing achievement.

The show is set in Baltimore and is based on the issue of civil rights in the 1960s. Hairspray tells the story of Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart as she sets out to follow her extraordinary dreams, inspire her mum and win the boy she loves.

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After initially being rejected, Tracy eventually wins a spot on the local telly dance show The Corny Collins Show and is then turned into a teen star but at the same time becomes a rebel fighting for racial harmony.

The Corny Collins Show was based on a real 1957 to 1964 TV programme called The Buddy Deane Show.

Hairspray is a fun, upbeat and humorous show featuring songs such as You Can’t Stop the Beat.

Katie Brace brought a wonderful energy to the lead role of Tracy and her huge grin had the crowd cheering for her every step of the show.

But Tracy’s greatest supporters are her parents - Edna Turnblad is a much-coveted role - played at different times and across different art forms by John Travolta, Divine, Michael Ball, Phill Jupitus and Harvey Fierstein. So big shout out to Neil Hurst as Edna who played the laundress with great panache.

Loving Dad Wilbur is played by Dermot Canavan and at times Mum and Dad almost stole the show with their heartwarming duet.

And another nod to gorgeous and sassy Vanessa Dumatey who almost brought the house down in the second half when the stunning Motormouth Maybelle belts out I Know Where I've Been.

Joanne Clifton plays scheming TV producer and racist former beauty queen Velma Von Tussle, appalled at the efforts of Tracy Turnblad to integrate black and white teenagers in 1962 Baltimore. We weren’t sure whether to cheer or boo for her fabulous performance.

There are so many great singers in the show, notably Shemar Jarrett as Seaweed Stubbs a black dancer who mentors the young and white Tracy in still-segregated 1962 Baltimore, Maryland.

The rest of the cast and the live orchestra were just sublime. Hairspray is a treat for all the senses, battle this cold spell and go to see it.

At the Theatre Royal until Saturday, November 16. Tickets from the box office on 0191 232 7010 or the Theatre Royal website www.theatreroyal.co.uk