This December, for the first time in St. Aidan’s High School, a musical will be staged which showcases the many and varied talents of the pupils at the Derrylin school.

Principal Pat McTeggart, said the school “has a long and proud tradition especially in choral and traditional music which is showcased annually in a highly acclaimed Christmas concert”.

Now they are broadening their horizons and are staging a musical from December 9 - 12.

The show has encapsulated all that is good about the school as staff, pupils and past pupils come together to stage the award winning musical ‘Hairspray’ with its catchy songs and strong messages.

The story begins in 1962 in Baltimore, Maryland, and quirky teenager Tracy Turnblad has one dream: to dance on The Corny Collins Show. When she gets put in detention with the African-American students in the school, they teach her some of their dance moves, and her new found groove wins her a spot on Corny’s show.

Overnight, Tracy transforms from a nobody into a star and uses her newfound influence to advocate for racial integration on the television show. Tracy faces scrutiny and bullying from the network producer, Velma, and her popular, but vicious, daughter, Amber. With help of the teenage heartthrob Link, host Corny Collins, and Motormouth Maybelle (the host of ‘Negro Day’), Tracy overcomes the odds and succeeds in her mission to integrate The Corny Collins Show.

Tony Award-winning Hairspray is a beautiful message of acceptance and progress.

The bright, energetic story of Tracy Turnblad teaches us all to look past the colour of one’s skin and fight for every human being’s equal rights.

The show has released talents in the pupils from acting, singing and dancing to set design and stage management which has demonstrated the skills of commitment, flair and teamwork.

The school and the community are eagerly awaiting the production and there are unlimited tickets available for the opening nights with Wednesday and Thursday nights completely sold out weeks in advance.