Grease

NODA Awards winning Knutsford Musical Theatre Company opened their 2019 season this week with the American classic: Grease.  We all (should) know the story by now.  Danny and Sandy fall in love, following their summer-long romance only to find themselves at the same high school.  It’s a classic story of boy meets girl, boy isn’t very nice to girl, girl changes her own personality and looks to be with boy!

Directed by Ben Ireson, this version of Grease had moments of originality – which is important in directing a show that has been done time and time again.  There were various moments in this production that was fresh and new.  For example, in the car reveal in Greased Lightning, the stage went black and the dancers used their light-up trainers and headbands, I also liked the way in which the main auditorium was used as different locations.  This especially worked at various parts of the pre-show and the main show.  I also liked how the smaller characters were given extra chances to shine, such as Miss Lynch and Eugene.  I question some of the staging at times.  Sandy was placed in the most upstage part of the bench in the opening scene and she was completely masked throughout the opening dialogue.  The Magic Changes scene was set in the boy’s locker room (which is something new and I liked it) but before the song went into the dreamlike sequence, a few girls came on into the locker room.  In the park scene, the radio plays, switches off and then starts up again but there was no radio on stage.  The radio in Marty’s bedroom also switched itself on and off.  Despite KMTC losing their leading man and a bass player, as well as having various issue with set, this show was one of the better versions that I’ve seen recently.  There was a stronger emphasis on character and individuality.  Some of the storytelling seemed a little rushed, to aid the pace, but this meant that we missed some of the plot.   I would’ve preferred more moments of stillness during certain parts to develop both characterisation and storytelling.  Moments such as Rizzo telling Kenickie that he’s not the father of the baby and when Danny askes Rizzo to the dance in front of Kenickie.  These moments create tension and add to the subtext.  I am being VERY picky here.  This production still had heart.  Visually, Ben had a traditional set with traditional costumes.  Everything looked in place and this production visually ticked all of the boxes.

Michael J Scott was at the helm as Musical Director.  The band were well directed by Michael who conducted from the front.  I particularly liked the drums and the saxophone.  Some of the ending of some of the songs seemed strange, such as Greased Lightning, which meant that the audience were unsure whether to clap or not.  I think this is down to the version of this theatre license.  Despite this, some of the harmonies were great.  I particularly loved the harmonies in the opening acapella song.  It was clear that a lot of attention to detail has gone into the rehearsal process.  Overall, the band sounded great and it was lovely to see them play during this production. 

The choreographer was Alexandra Howarth.  I have choreographed this show four times and love to see other people’s vision for choreography.  I felt that Alexandra’s choreography ticked all of the boxes and included all of the ‘traditional’ moves.  However, I felt that it was non visionary and a little lack lustre.  For me, there was too much dancing in unison and the choreography was too repetitive.  At times, the cast were bunched up in the middle, which meant that we couldn’t see the people towards the back of the stage.  The dance contest was disappointing too as it wasn’t clear that Danny and Cha Cha won as the entire cast finished the dance.  Again, most people were dancing in unison and not as their own individual couples’ choreography.  Greased Lightening is normally a showstopper, but this version was a bit of a damp squid I’m afraid.  Once again, I’m being very picky.  I doubt any of the audience noticed this or had a problem with it.

The set was effective.  I liked the way the sides folded open to reveal Marty’s bedroom and the Burger Palace.  It enabled the cast to use levels and various parts of the set as different locations.  The lights on the set also gave scene an extra level and helped the overall vision.

Lighting was also good.  I liked all of the colours used, particularly the lighting within the jukebox of the set.  I also liked the use of side lighting and the lights within the car.  I really appreciated the lighting during the drive-in movie theatre scene – lovely!

Sound was also very good.  There was a slight issue with Roger’s mic (just before his song)! But overall, the blend between the live band, the mics and the feedback to the audience was very good.  The levels were equally good.

Costumes were also effective.  I liked the costumes and props used during ‘Beauty School Dropout’.  I know that the script referred to the Burger Palace Boys and the letters on the leather Jackets referred to the T-birds, but I doubt this was noticed by most of the audience.  The costumes really helped establish character and location.

The protagonist, Danny Zuko, was played by Connor Ryan – however, the night that I watched the show, Oliver Hale stepped into the leading role (with no rehearsal).  Oliver was brilliant in this role and looked like a young John Travolta – it was uncanny!  Oliver brought a fresh coolness to this role that I’ve never seen before.  He embodied the character of Danny and WAS the character!  I loved the Danny/Sandy reveal after Summer Loving.  It was real and I believed every second of that scene.  Oliver’s voice was a little tired, but he still held his own and played the part brilliantly!

Lauren Campbell played Danny’s love interest Sandy.  Lauren wasn’t quite demure and pure enough for me.  I thought that Sandy was played a little too ballsy and earthy.  Saying that, once Sandy had her ‘transformation’, Lauren really suited that version far better and I could see why she was cast.  Lauren has a great singing voice with a great belt.  Whilst she sounded fab, I would’ve preferred a little more light and shade, particularly in ‘Hopelessly Devoted’.  As I mentioned above, one of the sweetest moments for me was the Danny/Sandy reveal after Summer Lovin’.  It had heart, warmth and realness.

Kat Clive played Betty Rizzo.  I loved Kat’s version of this iconic character.  She is a great actress with natural timing on the dialogue.  I liked the physicality that Kat put into her character too.  Kat had a lovely singing voice and held her own.  I question the staging of There Are Worse Things I Could Do, as it was directed out to the audience when I feel that it’s an argument between her and Sandy – this is entirely my own opinion though.

Kenickie was played by Jonathan Hall.  Jonathan was good in this role and was well cast.  I liked the air of coolness and authority that he had over the other T-birds.  I also liked the rapport that Jonathan had with Kat (Rizzo).  I would’ve liked to have seen more of a power struggle or asserting of power with Kenickie over Danny, but Jonathan’s performance was good nevertheless.

Marty was played by Emma Benson.  Emma did well to portray the unlucky-in-love side to Marty.  Physically, Emma held herself well onstage and I liked some of the tension that she brought between Marty and Rizzo.  I felt that Emma’s diction was a little slow and there were quite a few mispronunciations of American words. 

Sonny was played by K Ellis.  For me, K was far too laid back.  His lack of projection and energy meant that we often missed dialogue and the end of sentences.  K also missed lines of script throughout, often saying his own version of the line.  I didn’t see any rapport between Sonny and Marty throughout this show, therefore it didn’t have gravitas when they got together at the end.

Christie Rolley played the role of Jan.  Christie ticked all of the right boxes and was suitably funny and suitably sweet.  Christie also brought some welcome humour and delivered her (punch) lines with lovely timing.

Roger, played by Oliver Ball, was suitably hopeless.  He just couldn’t get anything right and I really felt for him.  There were times when Oliver started to turn into more of a caricature, but he managed to pull it back.  Despite his microphone failing just before his song, Oliver did well with project his words – I heard every one.  I could tell that Oliver’s voice was suffering during his song ‘Mooning’; again, the staging of this didn’t help the comedy.

Kirsty Hall played Frenchy.  Although I quite liked the ditsy side of her character at times, I felt that Frenchy was played as more of a caricature rather than a well-rounded character.  I also felt that Frenchy went ‘missing’ in scenes when Kirsty didn’t have lines to say.

Jack Parry gave a nice performance as Doody.  Jack’s rapport with Roger and Kenickie was very good and I really felt that they were good friends.  I liked the stupid, desperate and frustrated side that Jack had with Doody.  He was suitably funny and sang well during his songs.  I loved the energy that Jack brought to the stage which helped with the overall pace.

Patty was suitably played by Sophie Dickens.  Sophie brought a few qualities that I’ve never seen before in this role.  I liked the grounded, bitchy cheerleader side which really worked.  Normally, Patty is very geeky.  Saying that, there were times when Patty started to slip into the ‘norm’ but overall, I enjoyed Sophie’s performance. 

The smaller roles had their moments to shine in the spotlight.  I loved the quirky Miss Lynch (Clare Moorehouse) – it’s just a pity this part is so small – I wanted to see much more of you!  Myles ryan was funny as Eugene and suitably camp.  I loved the added bit of Eugene in his bath during ‘Beauty School Dropout’ – genius!!  Overall, there were highs and lows in this production.  I liked some of the fresh idea’s and energy of that was brought and some of the individual work was very good.  Individually, it was clear that the majority of the main cast were vocally tired.  The singing and dancing as a whole cast was great, and, in many ways, this show ticked all of the boxes. 

I thank KMTC for their brilliant hospitality and I wish them all the very best for the rest of their 2019 season.

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