Grease

Grease is a musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey set in 1959 at fictional Rydell High School and is based on the hugely successful film featuring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John. After a whirlwind summer romance, Danny and girl-next-door Sandy are unexpectedly reunited when she transfers to the school for senior year. Danny is the leader of the hotrod-loving, leather jacketed Burger Palace Boys and the Pink Ladies hand around with them. The plot follows the precarious relationship between Danny and Sandy as they and the group navigate the complexities of peer pressure, politics, personal core values and love. The rousing opening number was delivered in front of a gauze which when opened revealed a superbly painted set consisting of three tiered sections either side of a large sliding door, which was extremey well used.

Danny, the leader of the Burger Palace Boys, was brilliantly played by Matt Alsop. He totally commanded the stage with his confident easy-going charm and his swaggering animated moves. As well as his excellent acting skills he has a great singing voice too. There are four other members of the group. Kenickie, who was impressively played by Cohan Wildgoose, definitely was the tough guy and his fronting of 'Greased Lightning' was so superbly performed. Playing their respective roles admirably and with great energy and enthusiasm were Ben Johnson as guitar playing Doody, Will Travell as Roger and Oscar Millar as Sonny. The equivalent group were the Pink Ladies and Sandy was soon accepted into this group. Playing the part of Sandy was Isabelle Corbett. She excelled in the role capturing the innocent sweetness of the character perfectly and she too, has a lovely singing voice. However, what a transformation we saw when she turned into a sassy, provocative temptress and, along with Danny, they both exquisitely sang, 'You're The One That I Want'. I don't think that I have ever seen such tight trousers as those worn by Isabelle! Another fine perfomance came from Chloe Hughes as Rizzo. Her characterization of the tough, sarcastic, outspoken, yet vulnerable leader of the Pink Ladies was first-rate as was her singing of 'There Are Worse Things I Could Do'. Sienna Alsop was splendid as Frenchy who is totally preoccupied with her looks and dreams of finishing school so that she can become a beautician. Chloe Thomas excelled as the flashy and sexy Marty and I loved the portrayal by Lydia North as Jan, the fun-loving and compulsive eater. Jasmine Doolan was delightful as the over enthusiastic cheerleader Patty and Karin Peterson was just perfect as Miss Lynch. Jack Wilson was superb as Teen Angel, he sang 'Beauty School Dropout' with great style and panache. Excellent support came from Ray Wignall as Johnny Casino, Abigail White as Cha Cha, Sam North as Eugene and Chris Peck as Vince Fontaine. All of the small group and large ensemble numbers were really top notch, they were so well sung and the accompanying imaginative choreography was so well delivered with such vibrant energy and enthusiasm. The excellent set constructed by Ken Radmore and Mick Whitehouse and painted by Scenic Artists Andrew and Sabina Aucock, together with super props (loved the car), stunning costumes, good lighting and sound and a terrific cast all made for a most enjoyable and entertaining show. 'We Go Together' was certainly the watchword for this production. Congratulations to the Production Team and to everyone involved.

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