Grease

GREASE a musical presented by the Dream Academy of Performing Arts at the Theatre Royal, Corporation Street, St. Helens on Sunday, 20th August, 2023

I doubt if there are many teenagers in the Western World (or adults under 70!) that don’t know at least some of the musical numbers from this iconic musical!  With lyrics, music and book penned by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, Grease was first staged in Chicago in 1971.  Then, in 1978, Grease was adapted for film with John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John taking the lead roles of Danny Zuko and Sandy Dumbrowski respectively. Grease was an instant success, both critically and commercially, becoming the highest-grossing musical film at that time! The word ‘ICONIC’ can sometimes be over used… but not in this case!  Grease became a world-wide cultural phenomenon and even though the content has been toned down a little, it still tackles social issues such as peer pressure, teenage pregnancy and gang violence, whilst themes like friendship, love, teenage rebellion and adolescent sexual exploration are addressed. Grease has now been translated into over twenty languages and performed in over thirty countries… ‘Grease really is the Word ….

The Production Team … Sophie Thow (Director), Harry Moore (Sound Director) and Lauren Lilly Wootton (Choreographer), were the ones tasked with bringing this musical to stage! This really isn’t the easiest musical to stage, why, because of its ‘iconic’ status!  Grease brings with it certain expectations in both staging and, in the characters… getting things right, whilst trying to ‘put your own stamp’ on proceedings can and is sometimes impossible!  There is very little plot for the actors to get their teeth into… it really is more about the songs, the dance routines and movement that accompany and enhance those songs with little vignettes in between… but, I think I can honestly say, that our ‘trio of leaders’ did a great job and should be congratulated on their efforts!  Well done you three, be proud of what you helped achieve!

Cast… we had a cast of forty-one on stage, seventeen principles and twenty-four in the ensemble!  Most will know, who’ve read any of my reviews before, that this is where I ‘stick the old neck out’ and start identifying MY ‘show stealer’ and MY favourite characters!  Sometimes an easy decision, sometimes, as in this case, more difficult and I think the reason for that lies the lines mentioned above… ‘Grease brings with it certain expectations in both staging and, in the characters’… and it does!  So, in making the decision for ‘showstealer’, I really had to dig deep… there were five in contention, our two leads, ‘Danny Zuko’ played by Lewis Canning, ‘Sandy Dumbrowski’ played by Alanna Brereton, ‘Rizzo’ played by Charlotte Magowan, ‘Kenickie’ played by Jack Jones and ‘Vince Fontaine’ played by Max Whalley… and I plumped for Charlotte Magowan’s characterisation of ‘Betty Rizzo’… why… I think it was down to expectations!  Charlotte just ‘nailed’ the character of ‘Rizzo’ providing a powerful and believable performance!  Rizzo is a real tough cookie, a hard-bitten leader who has, over the years, cultivated this tough exterior… but Rizzo has a more guarded, vulnerable side, which isn’t as easy to portray, but which Charlotte brought to the fore when required! Great stage presence, great mannerisms…I loved, loved, loved her rendition of ‘There are worse things I could do’ heartfelt … be ever so proud Charlotte amazing job!  There’s little doubt that Lewis, Alanna, Max and Jack are talented performers and they all made really good jobs of their characters, but Charlotte created and just gave us that something extra!  We also had ‘Sonny’ being played by Molly Lowe who was ‘standing in at the very last moment’ for Demi Moore (taken ill during the morning - hope you’re feeling better Demi), well done Molly good job!  Alix Dixon took on the role of ‘Marty’; Amy Hurst played ‘Frenchy’, Mia Hurst played ‘Jan’, Em Drinkwater played ‘Doody’; Reuben Singh played ‘Roger’; Jacob Sayer played ‘Eugene’; Bethany Addison played ‘Patty’; Maisie Evans-Smith took on the role of Miss Lynch; Jess Forester played ‘Teen Angel’; Ava Wall played ‘Cha Cha’ and Jason Mercier took on the role of ‘Jonny Casino’!  Well done, some great characters created, some wonderful songs sung… be ever so proud… each and every one!  The Ensemble was made up of twenty-four, well-rehearsed, super excited and enthusiastic individuals, who, from ‘opening number to final bows’, not only provided great support for the principals, but who also helped add depth to the singing and the movement… which included Isobel Ford, James Morris, Jensen Joseph Nolan, Libby Wright, Ewan Donoghue, Katie Westhead, Connie Reid, Priya Singh, Beth Lee, Alice Achilles, Olivia Mullins, Lesley Griffiths, Lucy Hughes, Phoebe Bradley, Kiera Bowles, Emma Folded, Nicole Robinson, Daisy Decline, Iris Wall, Eloise Forester, Ellen Goodchild, Flossy Mulligan, Drew Taylor, and last but not least Zara Twists… Oh to be ‘young again’!  Honestly, I just love watching young people with huge smiles on their faces, literally having the times of their lives… be ever so proud of what you all helped achieve!

Staging/Set/Tech…  staging was effective throughout and afforded these young actors all the space they needed to do their ‘thing’ whilst enhancing the production... congrats to Mike Randolph (Stage Manager) and his team!  Lighting, under the watchful eye of Chris Novak (Lighting Design) was, as always here at the Theatre Royal, impressive and again enhanced the production ever so much.  Unfortunately, for me, we did have a problem with the sound, especially in Act 1. I felt that the singing was somewhat overwhelmed by very loud backing music! ‘Dream Academy’ are blessed with some phenomenal singers, who had the opportunity to sing songs that can only be described as ‘iconic’ and I really did want to hear every lyric… unfortunately on many occasions, in especially in Act 1, this proved difficult to achieve!   Act 2… I did feel that the levels were reduced somewhat and it was less problematic. Hope I haven’t offended… constructive advice really!

Costumes… provided by Regal Entertainment Ltd & Sohos of Bold Street were looked after by Rebecca Quinn and her team. Costumes were bright, colourful and enhanced the show ever so much.  Props… were authentic, used well and also enhanced the show. 

Unsung Hero’s… whenever or wherever Youth Performers appear on stage... they have to be looked after/ safeguarded and that task falls on the shoulders of CHAPERONES… in this case to Dawn Boote, Julie Bennett, Liz Fury, Sandra Mallon and Ann McGorian… thank you so much ladies… great job!

Due to prior commitments on my part, the only opportunity I had to see this production, was the Sunday Matinee… but, no matter what performance you attend for any Youth Theatre Production, there’s very little cause for concern, why… simple, ‘YOUTH DON’T CRUISE’ especially, when there’s encouragement from a large and enthusiastic audience as in this case… congrats to everyone, you gave us your all and no one can ask more!

Finally, I picked up on the fact that this was the last occasion that we would see some of this talented cast in a Youth Production… leaving are Alanna Brereton, Lewis Canning (both our leads), Charlotte Magowan (My Show Stealer), Molly Lowe, Jack Jones, Alix Dixon and James Morris… you will all be missed for sure, so, can I, on behalf of NODA and myself, take the opportunity to wish you all the very best for your futures, wherever that my take you and in whatever direction, be proud of what you achieved here at The Theatre Royal, it will no doubt serve you ever so well throughout your lives!! 

Thanks for inviting my wife and I to your performance, to Harry Moore for his welcome and his help… I hope we get to see each other again soon!

“Stay Safe… Keep well”
“Stronger Together”

Jim Briscoe
NW Region
District 6 Rep

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