Hairspray

As Bishop’s College prepares for its much anticipated 150th Anniversary in 2025, we began with the staging of a famous musical production ‘Hairspray’ by the students of the Middle school on the 17th and the 18th of February 2023 at the Bishop’s College Auditorium. The musical featured over 60 students and was directed by past pupil Dmitri Gunatilake, choreographed by Shonaka Ranatunga and produced by Ashini Fernando.

Set in 1960s Baltimore, Hairspray tells the story of a girl named Tracy Turnblad chasing her dream of performing on The Corny Collins Show, a local TV dance programme. When Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes an overnight celebrity, leading to social change as Tracy campaigns for the show’s integration. The musical Hairspray addresses a variety of themes that are relevant to today’s audiences including racism and bias of all kinds, body image, individuality and identity, student activism, and media bias. The story is full of potential inspiration and teachable moments, much needed in our school communities at present.