TALENTED pupils at Cirencester Deer Park School are preparing to take audiences back in time to Baltimore 1962 when their toe-tapping extravaganza Hairspray opens next week.

With a live band and the main hall transformed to reflect the American imagery of the time, the Deer Park take on Hairspray is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

Pupils and staff have been working hard on the musical since September. It tells the story 15 year old Tracy Turnblad’s fight to be accepted to dance her favourite local TV dance programme, The Corny Collins show.

When one of the show’s cast members has to leave, auditions are held for a replacement dancer. Tracy and her best friend Penny skip school to attend the audition, but they do not conform to the usual image which the show promotes - they are different. The show manager Velma and her pretty daughter Amber make it perfectly clear that different people are not welcome.

How can Tracy fulfil her dream to dance and be accepted by the smart people on the show? With the help of local youth (and unconventional dancer) Seaweed, Tracy is accepted onto the show, much to the anger and frustration of Velma and Amber. What terrible revenge do they plan?

Tune in for more next week at Deer Park Show.

• Hairspray is on Wednesday, November 13 to Friday, November 15. Tickets are available from Deer Park School reception and cost £6 (adults), £4 (students). The show starts at 7pm. Doors open at 6.30pm.