Joyous take-down of racism and fat-shaming

More catch-up film. This time, John Waters’s 1988 comedy, Hairspray. As with Studio Ghibli, I find myself wondering how on earth have I have missed this previously?

But on the other hand, what a joy to discover such pieces now!

The plot is simple – teenage Tracy Turnblad is a brilliant dancer who dreams of being on The Corny Collins show, a dance off. On the way to realising her dream, she fights racism and, given that she is chubby, fat-shaming.

But there’s plenty of racist opposition to her ideas, from individuals and institutions. And Tracy has a job on to win.

It’s a joy. Wonderfully camp, and with the positive messages mentioned above – plus a wonderful cast. Rickie Lake is marvellous as Tracey. Then there is Divine as her mother, Jerry Stiller as her father and Debbie Harry as the mother of her fiercest – and most bitchy – opponent.

One question, though: how do you make a ‘musical’ of this, given the music that’s already an integral part of this original version?