Solomon Davy from Codsall stars in Hairspray at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

When the smash hit musical “Hairspray” arrives at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre next week, Solomon will be on home ground playing the role of teen heartthrob “Link Larkin” and is ecstatic to be in the show. 

Solomon started his theatrical career at a very young age when he and his sister went to dancing lessons at the Suttie School of Dance in Codsall; then he progressed to do street dance and breaking at Newhampton Arts Centre and eventually he made the journey into musical theatre at the RSM Stage Academy at Fordhouses, where he fell in love with the genre and knew he had found his future career. 

“It was the only thing I was ever really drawn to and because I had performed my whole life and I never stopped enjoying it, if I didn’t give it a go, I knew I would always regret it,” said Solomon.

“My parents were really on board with it too.  I think they thought if he wants to do it, we will send him head first into the deep end and see what happens,” he laughed.

An ex-pupil from Codsall High School Solomon told me , “At the age of 16 I went to The Wilkes Academy, just outside London.  I loved it.  I was so amazed that I was performing all day, every day in a professional institution filled with so many people I looked up to.  I remember thinking I needed to step my game up though because the other kids were so talented.”

“In my fourth year I auditioned through a college agent who put me forward for West End shows and tours, and then the casting director David Grimrod spotted me at the audition for the Take That! Musical, “Greatest Days” , and he put me forward for auditions for roles in  “Back to the Future" and “Grease” in the West End.  Then after four or five rounds of auditions, I got the part of Kenickie in “Grease” at the Dominion Theatre, so I was certainly thrown in the deep end!” Solomon laughed. What a way to start your professional career. 

Solomon is clearly thrilled to be playing the role of Link in Hairspray.  I wondered if he likes his character?

“Well, I like the person he becomes in the end.  In the beginning he is a little self centred,” he told me. 

I guess you would describe Link Larkin as the handsome hero of the show, who is the high school stud and also a local TV star on the “Corney Collins Show” which all the kids watch and want to appear on. 

His love life is dominated by domineering girlfriend Amber, but when plus size teen Tracy Turnblad joins the show, Link begins to see how different things could be as he slowly falls in love, not just with Tracy, but also with her open, multi-cultural take on life. 

Solomon continued, “ Hairspray is an incredible show, centred around acceptance and that no matter what race, size, or culture you are, you can be heard and have a voice.  It is set in the sixties when people were segregated and were treated differently,” Solomon explained, “ and there isn’t another show like it and that is why it has been around for so many years.  There have been so many amazing productions of it because it is so relatable and unique.”

 He continued, “The show has so much heart and every night we get to just pour our hearts out on stage.”  

Hairspray appeals to all age groups.  It is uplifting, funny, romantic and will soften even the hardest heart.  Not only that but you will dance your way home from the theatre with the songs still in your head. 

Solomon loves the music from the show, but obviously has favourites.

“Link sings a song called “Without Love” which I really enjoy performing and I used to sing ages before I even got the role, so to get to sing that song every night is pretty cool. Another favourite is “I Know Where I’ve Been”, the huge showstopper sung by the character Motormouth,”  he said.  Believe me, that is a song and a half!

Solomon has learnt a lot from working with experienced professionals. 

“You cannot quite explain just how much you learn from being surrounded by experienced performers,” he told me. “Rather than a teacher and student relationship where you are learning by listening and being told, you absorb information from professionals just being around you and working with you.  It has been the most educational two years of my life since I started in professional theatre.”

So Solomon is just two years into what looks to be a promising career.  He is on tour with Hairspray now until mid-April and then who knows what the future brings? One thing is for sure though, he has big aspirations.

“I am going to shoot for the stars and work on things that I feel proud of and enjoy. If I can bring pleasure to people and make them think a little through my work, then that will be the biggest blessing,” he concluded.

“Hairspray” begins at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre next week, running from February 3-8.  For tickets, visit grandtheatre.co.uk or call 01902 429212.