Hairspray | UK Tour, 2017
The irrepressible musical sensation celebrating 1960s Baltimore brought to life through takis’ vibrant set and costume design for this major UK touring production. Based on John Waters’ 1988 film and featuring music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, and book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, Hairspray tells the story of Tracy Turnblad’s journey from high school outcast to local celebrity while tackling themes of racial integration, body positivity, and social change through infectious musical theatre energy.
This production toured major UK venues in 2017, bringing the show’s message of acceptance and celebration of difference to audiences across the country. The musical follows Tracy as she wins a spot on the local TV dance show “The Corny Collins Show,” using her newfound platform to advocate for racial integration while navigating teenage romance, family dynamics, and standing up to the show’s villainous producer Velma Von Tussle.
Set and Costume Design Vision
takis’ design captures the explosion of color, pattern, and optimism that defined early 1960s popular culture while grounding the production in the specific world of working-class Baltimore. The set features bold geometric patterns that evoke the graphic design aesthetics of 1960s television, with a distinctive stage floor treatment that creates visual interest and helps define different locations throughout Tracy’s journey. A dark blue cityscape backdrop with a crescent moon establishes Baltimore’s urban landscape, while modular set pieces transform from Tracy’s modest home to the glamorous TV studio to the streets where the story’s social conflicts play out.
The costume design embraces period-accurate silhouettes and fabrications, with over 100 costumes that capture the full spectrum of 1960s Baltimore society. Tracy and her mother Edna wear practical, modest dresses that reflect their economic status, while the Corny Collins dancers sport the latest teen fashions—colorful shift dresses, coordinated separates, and the kind of polished looks that would read well on black-and-white television. The design creates visual contrast between the integrated “Negro Day” dancers and the primarily white regular cast, using fashion and style choices to emphasize the show’s themes of segregation and eventual unity.
As Tracy and Edna undergo their transformations throughout the story, their costumes evolve from plain housedresses to a stunning matching mother-daughter ensemble with feather trim—a visual representation of their growing confidence. Velma Von Tussle’s wardrobe features fitted, glamorous pieces that signal her status and vanity, while supporting characters like Motormouth Maybelle and Seaweed command the stage in bold, authentic period styling.
The overall design balances the musical’s inherent joy and humor with respect for its serious themes, creating a world that feels both theatrically heightened and emotionally truthful.
Creative Team
- Set and Costume Designer: takis
- Music: Marc Shaiman
- Lyrics: Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman
- Book: Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan
- Original Director: Jack O’Brien
- Original Choreographer: Jerry Mitchell
Production Context
Hairspray premiered on Broadway in 2002, winning eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, and has become one of the most frequently produced musicals worldwide. The UK has embraced the show particularly warmly, with multiple West End runs and national tours. This 2017 touring production brought takis’ fresh design vision to regional theatres across Britain, demonstrating how the show’s themes of acceptance, diversity, and standing up for what’s right remain as relevant as ever.
The musical’s enduring popularity stems from its ability to tackle serious issues—racism, body-shaming, conformity—while maintaining an infectious spirit of joy and celebration. The show’s message that everyone deserves a place at the table (or on the dance floor) continues to resonate with contemporary audiences, making it a staple of the musical theatre repertoire.