Grease

Grease’ is definitely the word around Hull and people must be shouting it from every rooftop too with so many happy, smiling faces and on the first night to boot. ‘Grease’ must be one of the most well-loved musicals with a wonderful energetic playlist and a tale as old of time of the star-crossed lovers. This being said, Hessle Theatre Company certainly put their own spin on this show and put little elements in that made it stand out as a fantastic performance, not just with the sensational cast but also with the set, the band, the choreography, the lighting, the costumes and much more. 

I do have to say that I loved the way the set was so well made and used to enhance the show. Every scene change was quick and looked effortless with over playing music so not to create awkward moments in the inevitable moments when scene changes needed to happen. It was nice to see that cast were used as well as stage crew to move set around within the show to cut down these scene changes. A big round of applause to Kieran Danby for coordinating it. 

The musical performances, as we have come to expect from Hessle Theatre Company was wonderful. Rebecca Barber has worked really well to create a stunning musical performance with both the cast and band. I have never heard some of the well-known songs with such beautiful harmonies added. It is also a very difficult process to get the level of band and vocals just right in the theatre setting but this was done expertly this evening. 

Now let’s look at the cast. They certainly made one energetic show. I think I first need to give a massive round of applause to the chorus. You guys were amazing. I couldn’t find one person who hadn’t a smile from ear to ear at any point in the show. This really drove the performance and helped keep the audience be excited with you. This show has so many named characters that I wish I could write the amount you all justly deserved but I shall do my best. The vocal stylings of Sarah Lucy Penny as Casino and Ian Appleyard as Teen Angel where brilliant, both bringing so much energy to ‘Born to Hand Jive’ and ‘Beauty School Dropout’. Another two characters that are only on for a small amount, but certainly left their mark, were the wonderfully exuberant Cha-Cha played by Jade Fraser and the sensationally sleazy Vince Fontaine played by Jonathan Wainman. Every High School needs a stiff upper lipped head teacher played by Georgina Garton who was just fantastic and to round the high school experience off, you need your class geeks, Patty, played by Kimberley Fletcher, and Eugene, played by Oscar Morton, both who made the audience giggle at many points. 

Now let’s be honest what makes ‘Grease’ is the Pink Ladies and T Birds. These parts were cast well showing all the different personalities brought to the table by each member. Let’s start with the Pink Ladies. Jan, played by Megan Wilson, is bubbly and childish but definitely a lovable character. Frenchy, played by Georgia Wormald, was beautifully portrayed as a perfect dreamer. Marty, played by Emily Drewry, embodied the vision of sophistication throughout the show and didn’t waver once. Although not a Pink Lady until the end, Holly Brigden, playing Sandy, was the perfect level of innocence until the very end and certainly needs a mention within the Pink Lady group. Arguably the leader of the Pink Ladies, Rizzo, played by Rachel Wheatley, was simply breath taking. She showed so many sides of this character it was show-stopping. Indeed, the performance of ‘There are Worse Things I Could Do’ gave me goosebumps.  

And now to the T Birds. It is so hard to get together a group of people that look like they have been friends forever, but these lads certainly did. Joe Spence, playing Doody, was such a perfect mix of sweetness, humour, and troublemaker. Aaron Bolton, playing the funny and surprising Roger, was great and his song ‘Mooning’ was just fantastic. Jayden Platten, played Kenickie, with amazing swagger and bad boy around town charisma that was just brilliant, especially in the well know ‘Greased Lightning’ number. I have to say one of my favourite characters had to be Sonny, played by Joel Thompson, he was so funny. What a comedic genius. I do have to say my favourite cast member certainly was Danny Zuko himself, played by James Galer. The characterisation of this part was perfect, movements, facial expressions, line delivery and singing were just superb. During ‘Sandy’, I noticed some audience members with tears in their eyes. Well done James. 

Hessle you did it again. A wonderful all-round show. As expected on opening night there were a few little technical hitches which I have no doubt will be fine by tomorrow. However, this did not distract from a great performance well done to Richard Foot for putting together a wonderful show. 

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