Grease

Grease is iconic and beloved and a real crowd pleaser, especially when done well and Macclesfield Majestic’s version was. It was colourful, charming and energetic. It whipped along and entertained throughout with some great and detailed character choices.

The creative team of director Sara Hawley, choreographers Ellie Lyall and Carolyn Farrish – Mayer and musical director Ian Jones, must have felt that they had a somewhat arduous task when tackling something so well known and celebrated as Grease. Do you follow a formula? Try something new? But it was clear that they shared a vision to present an absorbing and spirited show and were obviously blessed with an enthusiastic cast who bought into that sentiment.

The choreography was fun and uplifting and, in some cases, even humorous, and each number was peppered with interesting pieces and moments. Which meant the movement throughout gave a respectful nod to the era and all the Greases that have gone before but also provided some lovely twists which allowed the cast to play to their strengths too. Great stuff!

The same can be said about the direction. Driven by character and with a real eye for keeping the story moving but ensuring the audience don’t miss a beat, pause or reaction. Well done!

The leading cast all worked well together and had believable camaraderie. There was a heightened naturalism to the group scenes, that kept the energy up without any one actor pulling focus. A real team effort. The characterisations were distinctive, and they each complimented well.

Luke Clayton as Danny and Liv Riseley as Sandy were very likable and watchable and they both handled the comedy and dramatic moments with capable ease. Luke’s singing was fabulous and Liv’s facial expressions delightful.

Liam Bunka played a rather brooding Kenickie, quick to anger and streetwise to boot. It worked well here and his pairing with the sassy Maddi Riseley as Rizzo was great to watch.

Some lovely innovative vocals came from Elliot Clayton as Doody, beautiful, and some fun comedic moments played to the full by Matthew Hulme as Roger and Paolo Pinto as Sonny.

Steph Parsons as the enticing Marty was engaging in scene and song and Lauren Spiers as Jan was a joy to watch. Katie Lawton ensured her Frenchy had the maternal, caring, more mature slant whilst keeping the youth and vivacity needed for the role.

Some lovely cameos came in the shape of Johnny Casino in all his bewigged and leopard print glory depicted by Steve Sheppard. Beauty School Drop Out was in the very talented hands of Alex Bingle who doubled as the appropriately shady Vince Fontaine. Daniel Hulme gave us a very amusing and endearing Eugene Florchyk. Bev Jones as Miss Lynch was the perfect no nonsense head, but with a sarcastic twinkle and an obvious fondness for her wayward students and Darcey Lake as Cha - Cha was full of moxie and had a clear love of dancing.

The standout performance in this rendering of Grease came from Lisa Macdonald as Patti Simcox. A role that can sometimes get lost in the boy meets girl storyline, but Lisa really brought the third wheel scenario to the fore and allowed the audience to see this character’s layers that are usually not as well defined. She isn’t the full goodie two shoes as she is sometimes depicted, Lisa showed a wily and cunning side and a competitive streak that was borderline catty. This actress also got some of the biggest laughs of the night, particularly in the cheerleading/ trying to get Danny’s attention scene. Congratulations.

A zippy, fun show and a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

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