Grease

There was a nice touch to Stamford Showstoppers production Grease, before the show started the Fontanettes came out in front of the Curtains and entertained the audience, as they came in, to some period songs. Hales Beasley and Hatty Wright were led by the, as always, wonderful Cassie Patterson, these three sang their way through the show with great vocals and were always immaculately costumed. They were quickly joined by Andrew Cleaver as Vince Fontaine. These four also entertained the audience in the same way during the interval. I hope the audience appreciated this touch.

We were then into the show and immediately introduced to our two young leads Sandy played by Ivy Freeman Hall and Danny played by Niall McGarrity. Ivy played a suitably demure Sandy, was confused when Danny ignored her, prim and proper when together with the Pink Ladies and really strutted her stuff when she appears for the final number ‘You’re the one that I want’. Both Ivy and Niall had some great Dance numbers and well sung numbers and duets, memorably ‘Summer Nights’, ‘You’re the one that I want’ Sandy’s ‘Hopelessly devoted to you’ and Danny’s ‘Sandy’. Niall particularly moves extremely well in dance numbers and the two were well paired. These two were well supported by The Pink Ladies – Marty (Phoebe Candlin), Frenchy (Zoe Stebbings), Jan (Blaize Jones- White) and Rizzo (Jessica Auciello) and by The Burger Palace Boys – Sonny (James Duggins), Doody (Sebastian Jones), Roger (Stan Scarborough) and Kenickie  (Michael Clay). These four pairings were well matched and gave good performances and well sung numbers. The characterisations for all were generally good although I felt that the men could have been a bit more laddish / boys about town, ready for a bit of rough and tumble, Danny could have been portrayed, I felt, as bit more of a rough Diamond, he came across as a bit too smooth. Three of the men are relatively new to performing and did well in their roles and will continue to develop their stage craft. Stamford Showstoppers benefitted greatly from the addition of the experience of Stan who brought great life and personality to his character.  

There were some nice little supporting roles, I loved Patty (Grace Unwin), Eugeniee (Emily Hales) was a well-played male role, I could definitely see Miss Lynch (Rachel Persani) as a school teacher and Teen Angel (Charlotte Burgess) gave a great rendition of ‘Beauty School Dropout’ and a nice little Cameo for Glen Whitmore as Jonny Casino.

Great use was made of two moveable units of steps, known as ‘Bleachers’ around the stage, these were very versatile and fully used, they were very skilfully and efficiently moved around the stage by five ladies. Staging was effective and furniture and props where used, although simple, were used to great effect. Sound was generally good although it was noted that in one or two instances microphones were late being switched on. There is something about the lighting where I have seen a couple of shows here where when cast are in front of the proscenium arch down stage right the lighting is not great. However, this did not detract from a highly colourful show, one or two hair styles may have been out of period, but there was great costuming. The Choreography was as always to an exceptionally high standard, I particularly enjoyed the Hand Jive, the Company gave very great vocals. I congratulate both Nicola and Cassie for drilling the whole company in their vocals and movement to give their audiences a great musical show experience.

Not to be forgotten. a thank you to the back stage crew, wardrobe and all those who work behind the scenes, are never seen, rarely applauded but are essential to a great show.

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