Grease

This show has worn well, given that it was first produced in 1972 on Broadway.  It was 23 years ago that CMS Juniors put on their first production, which just happened to be “Grease”!  I wonder how many of the cast in 1990 are parents of the energetic group of youngsters who presented this production, and how many came back, mouthing the words learned all those years ago?  Certainly it was a happy team, glad to be back ‘home’ after too long out of Clydebank Town Hall, now refurbished, apart from the main hall, admittedly with a coat of magnolia paint, but still all hard, bright surfaces giving Gavin Jenkinson’s sound team a difficult task.

But to the show, with the return to school of the various groups – The Boys,  Kenickie (Calum Boyd), Roger (Kevin Rodgers), Sonny (Ryan Scott Long) all bravado and boasting when they team up with Danny (Ben Timney), our hero.  And The Girls, Rizzo (Lucy Rogers), Frenchy (Amy Logue), Marty (Sinead Sweeney) and Jan (Sophie Whorisky) showing off in front of Sandy (Laura McLellan), the new face on the block.  Add in the teacher, Miss Lynch (Julianne Smith) with the misfits, top of the class Patty (Rachel Murray) and Eugene (Graeme McKay), picked on by the others mercilessly.  After the summer break, all have grown up a bit, but are still young enough to play tricks or tease their peers, with some awkward outcomes.  Danny, trying to hide the fact that he spent time with Sandy and fell for her, Rizzo claiming him as hers, the effect of too much drink at a pyjama party bringing ridicule on the newcomer, who decides to become a cheerleader to gain affection.

The dance, hosted by the local radio DJ Vince (Declan Hillan), where Cha-Cha (Cara McCombe) wins a dance contest with Danny, who is unsure about declaring his love for Sandy.  Car theft, possible teenage pregnancy, burger-bar bravado, are all there in this fast-moving show with hit songs that pleased everyone that night.

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