Some musicals tick every single box. They've got the soundtrack, the story and the stage presence - Hairspray is at the front of that stable and is just the musical the world needs right now!

The show is based on the original John Waters film and see’s ‘plump’ teenager, Tracy Turnblad's attempt to realise her dream - to dance on The Corny Collins Show. When she wins a role, she becomes a celebrity overnight, and meets a colourful array of characters which leads her to campaign for the show’s integration.

The Broadway show won eight Tony Awards, including one for Best Musical, and ran for 2,642 performances. The London production was nominated for a record-setting eleven Olivier Awards, winning four including Best New Musical. There’s just something about this shows perfect mix of humour, skilful dancing and beautifully integrated sub plot that makes it addictive.

It's a piece which, thanks to the popularity of the 2007 film, has a very special place in the audience's hearts and you find yourself willing the show to succeed. Whilst it deals with some incredibly relevant, powerful and emotive subjects, Hairspray is also a loud, proud dance-athon, which commands you smile from start to finish.

The current UK tour is an absorbing production of the show with some slight - and welcome - adaptations from previous tours.

It's becoming a trend to cast some of the lead roles in this show with performers fresh out of drama school, and our leading lady, Alexandra Emerson-Kirby, was simply brilliant. Oozing confidence, humour and charisma Alexandra takes the role back to the traditional Broadway sound that makes the role almost a caricature of America in the 60s. Write her name down because you'll definitely be seeing more of her.

Dermot Canvan starred as Wilbur alongside Neil Hurst's Edna. For me, Canavan is the embodiment of Wilbur - giving the character more personality than normal and that works beautifully. No longer is he just a foil to his wife, talking of which, Hurst is in his element as the shows matriarch. The duo maintain the warmth and chemistry the characters need and it's impossible not to fall in love with their portrayal.

Their version of You're Timeless To Me was just idyllic to watch and had just the right amount of its traditional 'comedy break'. The pudding was not over-egged and the audience reaction said it all.

Joanne Clifton excelled as Velma and, for me, is proving herself as an absolute gem of the genre. Known to many for her time on Strictly, Clifton is a brilliant performer with an incredible vocal and the most brilliant comedy timing for this part.

However for me, it's always Motormouth who steals the show and Michelle Ndegwa continues the theme! She has a hard act to follow. Brenda Edwards is synonymous with the role and is still the only performer I've witnessed get a full audience ovation for the performance of one song. However Ndegwa has put her own stamp on the character and received nigh on the same reaction.

Her rendition of I Know Where I've Been was one of the most stunning vocal efforts I've ever heard. She brought the power and emotion the audience were craving and effortlessly riffed and belted her way through such an incredible lyric with a spellbound audience.

Her take on Maybelle is powerful, dignified, emotional and left everyone in the house in awe of her talent. 

Get the show on your ‘to do list’ for this week. It's an out and out smash hit from start to finish - there really is no better feel good show on tour at the moment.

Hairspray runs at Birmingham Hippodrome until Saturday 21st September. For more information, or to get tickets, head to birminghamhippodrome.com.