Make A Scene: Way-Too-Interactive Screening of Hairspray
Tom Grieve, Cinema Editor
Are you ready for a night of anti-Trump, pro-diversity, dance-protest? Make A Scene return to Texture this June for another one of their spectacular “Way-Too-Interactive” film screenings. Following on from the success of their Little Shop of Horrors screening, the team will be showcasing John Waters’ queer classic Hairspray in a three-sixty-degree immersive event that’s sure to leave an impression.
The film itself – an subversive, yet inclusive take on the TV dance show craze of the ‘60s – will take centre stage, but, be warned, this is no ordinary film night. The interactive-ness starts at the door, where guests will be invited to don John Waters’ signature-style moustaches or to have their eyebrows done like Divine – the film’s larger than life star. The bar will be transformed into a 1960s TV studio, complete with dancefloor and period dance music spun from vinyl by Kiss Me Again’s Matt Rothery. Hair stylists will fix your beehive, there’ll be sing-a-long intervals and drag queen and Make A Scene hostess Grace Oni Smith will recreate Debbie Harry’s character from the film.
Amongst all of the extravagance, there’ll be a chance to help make a more serious point. The evening forms part of the LGBT+ Liberty Festival which is supporting the USA Pride protests. Organisers hope that the positive, queer film will inspire the crowd towards activism. Producer, Gary Williams said: “Hairspray is a film all about integration, positivity and hope, made by a gay director with a drag queen as one of the leads, it’s about not lying down and taking the status quo.”
In line with this, audiences will be invited to make placards to take along to the marches happening in Manchester city centre the following day; where protesters will demonstrate their solidarity with their American counterparts in standing up against Donald Trump’s anti-LGBT, anti-diversity legislation and hate speech.
