'I Want That Hair' is funny, fast-paced and fabulous!

How do Jackie Lye (Bex) and Pippa Fulton (Heidi) remember all that dialogue?  This is very much a two-hander play as the only other character says nothing. Their comic-timing is impeccable, too, as they deliver one-liners which make for sparkling repartee - although I wish I was as quick off the mark as Heidi with her banter! 

The play is set in a hairdressing salon, called 'I Want That Hair', which needs a bit of an upgrade. Bex owns the salon, but, now she is 'fat and forty-five', she is becoming increasingly disillusioned, especially when a smart, new salon opens across the road, offering more up-to-date treatments and 'I Want that Hair' has fewer and fewer clients. Bex's mental decline is demonstrated by her chocolate binge when she discovers clients aren't the only thing the competition poaches from her!

Popular music, which seem to hold significance to the two women, helps to suggest the passage of time whilst the clothes Bex and Heidi wear demonstrate their attitudes to their ageing. Bex wears a dark top with dark jeans and a sensible haircut whilst Heidi is all ripped jeans, colourful top and flamboyant hairdo - both fear the passage of time but whilst Bex seems to accept that age is real and she can do nothing about her lot, Heidi fights against it. 

Written by Jane Thornton and directed by John Godber, this is a play almost everyone can relate to and enjoy - is there anyone who has not been to a hairdressers'? There are local references (Ms Thornton and Mr Godber both live locally) which add to the feeling of connection (although residents of Howden might not find one of the jokes that amusing!) and, yes, there is some real hairdressing going on. 

Although both actresses are household names - Jackie Lye is well-remembered for playing Sandra in 'Brush Strokes' and Hull actress and singer Pippa Fulton famously got to the final of 'Fame Academy' in 2002 - they play very believable, endearing characters.

I wasn't sure whether Mr. J. would enjoy this play but he found it very funny and highly entertaining and thought the message of the story was very subtly conveyed. 

If you are now intrigued as to how 'I Want that Hair' plays out, do go to see it; you will not be disappointed and you might just find yourself laughing in spite of your expectations!

 'I Want that Hair' by Jane Thornton  plays until March 30th at 7.30pm and with selected matinees at 2.30pm. Tickets are priced £11.50-£16.50. Bookings in person, via 01482 874050 or at www.eastridingtheatre.co.uk 

For more details visit http://www.eastridingtheatre.co.uk/2018/10/i-want-that-hair/

Linda Johnson