Grease

GREASE a musical performed by SONG, at The Atkinson Theatre, Lord Street, Southport.... on Thursday, 13th April, 2023.

I doubt if there are many teenagers in the Western World (or Adults under 70) who don’t know some of the musical numbers from the iconic musical! With music, lyrics and book written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey this musical tells the story of the ‘Class of 1959’ from Rydell High School who are gathering for their high school reunion, but some class members are missing!  Miss Lynch, their former English Teacher, calls on ‘Patty Simcox’ the former Head Cheerleader and ‘Eugene Florczyk’ the very geeky Class Valedictorian to speak and open the reunion… suddenly we are ‘transported back in time’ to Rydell High with the class of ‘59’ reliving their time there!

Production Team… Karen Edge (Director) was back in the ‘hot seat’ for this SONG production. If you read Karen’s programme notes she talks about being an ex-SONGIE, an ex-Committee Member and an ex-Chairman, this is a ‘common thread’ whenever you speak to any ‘SONGIE’ …they talk about family, fun, hope, enjoyment, camaraderie, best friends, friends for life, memories… it’s just inbred… great to see you back Karen!  Victoria Harrocks (Choreographer) another back with SONG doing what she does best!  Vicci provided us with some cleverly devised dance routines which played to the strengths of this young cast…. the ’opening’ set the mood for the entire show… the ‘finale’, absolutely loved it… be ever so proud Vicci!  Daniel Rankin (Musical Director) was making his ‘debut’ with SONG and what a show to start your involvement … be proud Dan, great job!

The Cast… when you get thirty-seven talented young people on stage all of whom, you know, have given their all, what more can you ask or say!  But, before I ‘stick the old neck out’ and start selecting MY favourite performances, characters and MY ‘Show Stealer’…  I’d like to ask a question… ‘What makes a good show great?’ … answer The Chorus (COMPANY) -  the T-Birds, the Girls, the Cheer Leaders and the Teen Angels all of whom danced, sang and acted their way through this production with huge smiles on their faces, with energy and total commitment … Emilie Alty, Tabitha Armstrong, Esme Barron, Lola Birtles, Serafina Campolucci-Bordi, Isabelle Culshaw, Grace Cunningham, Grace Curry, Emma Forshaw, Anna Gregory, Georgia Hankin, Annabel Harrison, Jessica Harrison, Kate Hitchmough, Milly Johnson, Megan Lawson, Elesha Nolan, Holly Partington, Felicity Pendleton, Issac Shea and Evie Twist… congrats… be ever so proud!     PRINCIPALS …Sophie Freeman-Eaton played ‘Miss Lynch’; Fleur Grace Wigmore played ‘Patty Simcox’;
Jack Smith played ‘Eugene Florczyk’; Zara Newton played ‘Jan’; Tess Wright played ‘Marty’; Abigail Bond played ‘Betty Rizzo’; Evan Thorpe played ‘Doody’; Orlando Campolucci-Bordi played ‘Kenickie’; Kai-enna Mook played ‘Sonny Latierri; Grace Hayes played ‘Frenchy’; Lucy Brown played ‘Sandy Dumbrowski’; Harry Corcoran played ‘Danny Zuko’; Nathan Power played ‘Vince Fontaine’; Ewan Harris played ‘Johnny Casino’; Kate Andrew played ‘Cha-Cha Digregorio’ and Joe Bigley played ‘Roger’ and Teen Angel’… well done one and all be ever so proud of what ‘YOU’ helped achieve! 
MY SHOW STEALER… Abigail Bond who was outstanding as the ‘tough cookie’ ‘Betty Rizzo’. Abigail just owned the stage and showed us, with effortless ease, the two sides of Rizzo… the tough, sassy, sarcastic, outspoken Leader of the ‘Pink Ladies’ and the quieter, more guarded, vulnerable side … all the characteristics required to make this role authentic!   Stage presence aplenty, mannerisms were off the charts… and let’s not forget her vocals in ‘Look at me I’m Sandra Dee’ and the ‘vocal highlight’ from the show for me, ‘There are worse things I could do’ … wow!   Be ever so proud Abigail...  a truly memorable performance!  Not far behind Abigail was the other ‘tough cookie’ ‘Kenickie’ played ever so well by Orlando Campolucci-Bordi… second in command of the ‘T’ Birds, the rough, tough, surly greaser who has an on/off relationship with ‘Rizzo’, but whose pride and joy is his investment … his car...  ‘Greased Lightnin’.  Powerful presence on stage, loved the accent, attitude and mannerisms, which were there throughout, another with a great singing voice, well done Orlando be very proud sir!    Lucy Brown and Harry Corcoran played our leads… ‘Sandy Dumbrowski’ and ‘Danny Zuko’ respectively. I would suggest playing these ‘iconic roles’ made famous by ‘Olivia Newton-John’ and ‘John Travolta’ is a real challenge, but Lucy and Harry gave it their all!  Both had their own stories to tell which they did really well, creating two believable characters. Stage presence was great, worked extremely well as individuals and when coming together as a couple, were a joy to watch… well done be proud you two!  Kai-Enna Mook took on the role of ‘Sonny Latierri’ a member of the ‘T Birds a part that she made her own!  Great characterisation, great stage presence… it wasn’t obvious until Hilary Thompson told me, that this was a female playing a male role… be ever so proud young lady, great job, great characterisation!   I loved Zara Newton’s quirky characterisation of ‘Jan’ who chooses ‘comfort over style’… another who made the part her own, congrats Zara, great job!  Final shout-out, but honestly, I could go on… was Nathan Power who did a superb job with one of the smaller supporting roles ‘Vince Fontaine’ the Radio Announcer. Great characterisation, stage presence aplenty and great clarity of voice … be proud Nathan!     

Stage/Set/Tech … ‘wow’ what a set, it was huge and included ‘the car’ - ‘Greased Lightenin’!  The set had to be literally squeezed into the theatre, but what a fabulous backdrop it created!  ‘Big Sets’ need experienced/dedicated stage crews and SONG were blessed with exactly that… Andrea Shacksmyth-Claire (Stage Manager/Tech Co-ordinator) / Laura Everett (Stage Manager) and Ed and Alex McKillop, Chris Morris, Corinna Davies, and Jamie Edge (Stage Crew) … worked their “socks off” …  huge congratulations folk… phenomenal effort, be proud! 
Lighting Design… completed by Jamie Moran with Abbie Bohan on ‘follow spot’.  The lighting enhanced the production so much.   Sound and its design were under the control of Matt Hughes. I did feel there were times, especially in Act 1, when the sound slightly overpowered some of the young singers, especially some soloists… but even that didn’t detract from the overall success of production, which was amazing!   

Costumes… were superb and enhanced the show so much… provided by ‘The Costume Shop’ and under the watchful eye of Wardrobe Mistress Karen Fairclough. I loved the costumes, especially the wigs for ‘Beauty School Drop Out’ amazing!
Props …  Bev Newton, Jess Thorpe and Poppy Coyle were tasked with looking after the ‘props’ which were apt and used extremely well. Well done ladies!

Orchestra… Dan Rankin (Musical Director) had gathered an impressive line-up of musicians including… Corey Gerrard (Keys), Adam Dutch (Bass), Sarah Dutch (Tenor Sax1),  Lucy Edwards (Tenor Sax2) Sam Jones (Drums), Mike Ciaputa (Guitar) and Paul Sanderson (Guitar 2) …. well done folks an amazing sound!

Safeguarding/Chaperones… those of us who love and support amateur theatre can only be encouraged when we see such talented young performers, on stage ‘having the time of their young lives’!  But, for this to happen, people must give off their time to not only to teach the skills required to be on stage, but to also ensure that those talented young people are kept safe!   Ensuring that this happens with SONG, is a team of dedicated people, led by Guy Wigmore, SONG’s very own ‘Safeguarding Officer’ and his team of Licenced Chaperones… Linda Davies, Beverley Newton, Salena Birtles, Lynne Wigmore, Heather Culshaw and Karen Fairclough …  on behalf of every parent and every audience member … can I take this opportunity to thank you all for your dedication!

Once again, I’d like to thank the Committee and Members of SONG for inviting me to watch, feel part of this production and this amazing youth group on their opening night.  Congratulations on another amazingly successful production and I’m already looking forward to NATIVITY… can’t wait to see you all again and see my idol and namesake Mr Poppy!

Stay Safe, Keep well
“Stronger Together”
Jim Briscoe
District 6 Rep
NODA North West
 

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