Dadaisms

What gives a girl power and punch? Is it charm? Is it poise? No, it’s Hairspray!

After the release of Dreamgirls I must admit I was slightly depressed. “Oh no,” I thought, “the musical cycle has already reached its end, a mere 7 years after it began”. My momentary lapse of despair, however, was banished when I watched Hairspray on Friday night.

Hairspray is witty, bright, funny, charming, light, insighful, and full of subtle adult humour. The score is incredible, to the extent that the moment I left the movie-house, I walked into the neighbouring CD shop and purchased the soundtrack. The ensemble of talent includes John Travolta, Christopher Walken and Michelle Pfeiffer (who looks as stunning as ever, even more so as the antagonist).

Apart from its surface appeal, Hairspray is layered with much deeper “messages”. Many people consider musicals light-hearted and entertaining - and to this mould Hairspray is no exception.

However, the emphasis that it places on race and the need to “integrate, not segregate” reflects a view that change and acceptance are imminent, and it is useless to oppose. The film acts as a vehicle for social awareness, and the race paradigm can be extended to include “everyone who is different”.

As I write this I’m looking on Take2 for prebookings of the DVD.

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Despite all my previous moanings about South Africa, one positive thing I can say is that it’s great to have the freedom of expression considered one of the most important Rights in the country. I was fortunate enough to see this Right stretched to the limit on Friday night.

“Black Mamba”, a political and social satirical comedy, was showing at the Heritage Theatre in Hillcrest, and I had complementary tickets. The show held nothing sacred: every race, every viewpoint and every politician was ripped into tiny pieces during the course of 90 minutes. From “Derek Twats” to “Manto Tshabalala Missing-her-mango”, to a condensed version of the entire history of South Africa, Ben Voss and James Cuningham managed to lay bear the very essence of what it means to be a citizen in this day and age. There is no such thing as “political correctness” or unconditional equality - the production voices views that the media simply alludes to. The sketches are witty, fast-paced, hilariously funny and - above all - a channel for people to reflect on and laugh at the things that they fear most in SA.

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