Grease

Yeadon Theatre Company certainly made a great choice of show, with excellent houses all week, many of them sold out. A youthful band, led by drummer and MD Adam Boniface brought real verve and energy to the score. There was an interesting start, allowing a large ensemble to burst onto the stage and delight a very enthusiastic audience with a familiar opening number. Grease really was the Word.

For me, the delight was in the many actors who proved that ‘there are no small parts, only small players.’ Chantelle Brookes as Marty made her mark right from the first line and kept our eyes on her though out. Stephanie Le Tissier Green totally convinced as Patty Simcox, the thick-skinned cheer leader who believes everyone loves her.  Again, this was a character in a small role who never stopped acting. Owen Morgan was a great Eugene, the geek through every scene; and who could forget Dave Collins as Vince Fontaine. The socks deserve an Oscar of their own!

The whole ensemble impressed and the choreography by Anita Adams was excellent- often with a range of clever comic touches which were detailed and well drilled. Each member of the ensemble developed and maintained an individuality and all shone in such numbers as Summer Nights, Magic Changes and Greased Lightning.

An energetic entrance to Act Two led us into one of the best sequences for me. The High School Hop segued into Sandy’s lament with the ensemble silhouetted and great lighting moved us into Sandy’s bedroom scene which was beautifully juxtaposed. Eloise Kite, as Sandy sang this difficult song quite beautifully. There is a big range in Hopelessly Devoted to You but Eloise coped with this effortlessly and convinced us all totally of her emotions. In other scenes, I sometimes found the business from the ensemble detracted from the principal dialogue, so that it was hard for the audience to pick out where the main action was located; but in this scene the main focus was beautifully highlighted.

Eloise Kite and Henry Etherington worked well together as Danny and Sandy, congratulations to them both. They danced well and had superb singing voices. Sandy made a brilliant transformation into Rock Chic, but I thought Henry was sometimes not ‘cool’ enough for Danny. The Burger Palace Boys amused and the Pink Ladies shimmered. Georgia Dennis as Rizzo shone brightest when we saw her deeper emotions in There are Worse Things I Could Do.

The production just got stronger and stronger during Act 2. Beauty School Dropout was hilarious; it couldn’t have been more camp, and everyone threw themselves into their pink persona. The director, Anita Adams used some really clever ideas to fill transitions and the final numbers delighted the audience with their energetic dance moves and enthusiastic singing. And well done to everyone for coping with the massively high steps on the bleachers. It’s always a challenge when a hired set turns up at the last minute (Proscenium Ltd) and everyone has to quickly adapt.

The evening ended with a proposal which was a treat for audience and cast alike. Fortunately, she said yes- a reminder of some of the unexpected benefits of being part of a group like Yeadon Theatre Company; friendships (and more!) are forged for life. What a wonderful thing amateur theatre is!! Many congratulations to you all.

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