Writer: Drew Quayle
Director: Chantelle Nolan
Treat yourself and get down to Carol’s salon for a good old blow, gossip, and maybe something extra! With bitching galore, and lots of laughs, this raucous comedy adds its own spin on female empowerment.
Leanne Campbell is back as glamourous salon owner Carol, who instantly connects the audience as they lap up her signature blend of wit and warmth. Campbell’s charisma is captivating as she sets the bar high with a strong and engaging performance.
Set in the bustling world of hair and beauty, we dive into the lives of Carol and the salon’s colourful characters who navigate some unexpected twists and turns—an unplanned pregnancy and the return of a local gangster which throw the salon into some entertaining disarray.
Campbell is nicely complimented with a brilliant strong ensemble of actors, including Sarah White as salon worker Sheila, who provides a masterclass in comic timing and delivery, causing some serious side splits with the most hysterical lines said with perfect deadpan hilarity.
The Theatre Royal knows its audiences well, and doesn’t fail to deliver on what it does best; cheeky, raunchy, humour in abundance, with near the knuckle deliciously filthy jokes, and plenty of toilet humour to boot. The sexual references and innuendoes make it feel like it could have been written by a Hen party, with an eye watering prop providing plenty of laugh out loud visual comedy moments, its stage presence definitely making it a contender as the largest member of the cast.
The Salon is an appealing example of when a theatre performance is able to reach out and touch its audience, blurring the boundary between the stalls and stage. The familiarity of the characters and how they are written, produces an authentic response from the audience, resulting in real moments of magic during several reactive ad libs.
Advertised as for adults only and if you’re easily offended, then this salon is fully booked and not for you. Leave the rest of us to enjoy a night of smutty, silly antics, a few risque hours to help forget the doldrums of life and be thoroughly entertained.
As expected, this is a polished production, with Regal Entertainments unwavering attention to detail with elaborate set design which replicates the lushness you’d expect in Carol’s salon; pink satin adorned with diamantes, with flashes of leopard print and prosecco on tap. With musical interludes which get the crowd singing, this show has it all, albeit some slightly bloated moments which add some unnecessary minutes onto this already long production.
All elements are successfully brought together by director Chantelle Nolan with assistant director Kay Nicholson, who bring back the charm and chaos that audiences loved in the original production when it was first performed at the St Helens Royal in 2009. This new reprisal, written by Drew Quayle can be enjoyed as a standalone show for any new customers entering the hilarious going’s on at the salon. Get booked in!
Runs until 13th October 2024.