Grease

Thank you for welcoming me to the Queen’s Theatre for this production of Grease. I was given my usual warm welcome by Sue and the front-of-house team – something I have grown very accustomed to with BMCDS – and I would like to reiterate how genuinely appreciative I am of this continued hospitality.

Grease remains one of the most recognisable and enduring stage musicals, capturing the spirit of 1950’s American youth culture through its vibrant characters, infectious score, and themes of identity, friendship, and teenage rebellion. Set around the students of Rydell High School, the show follows the summer of romance of Danny and Sandy as they navigate peer pressure, image, and growing up, supported by the contrasting dynamics of the Pink Ladies and the Burger Palace Boys. Its enduring popularity lies in its ability to blend nostalgia, humour, and heart with high-energy musical numbers that audiences know and love.

The pre-set music was very fitting of the period and immediately helped established the world of the show, successfully getting the audience in the mood for this much-loved classic. As the show opened, I particularly enjoyed Vince Fontaine’s “housekeeping” announcement, which was well delivered and nicely set the tone – although I did feel its repetition ahead of Act Two was unnecessary.

I must admit that the use of both Danny and Sandy positioned on opposite balconies during “Sandy” didn’t quite land as intended. While the concept itself was thoughtful, the execution meant that audience sightlines worked against it. Sitting on the right-hand side of the auditorium, I had a clear view of Danny but was unaware that Sandy was positioned above me on the opposite balcony – with reverse likely true for those seated on the other side. This idea may have had greater impact if staged from opposite sides of the stage itself, allowing the emotional connection of the moment to fully reach the entire audience.

That aside, the opening of the show hit the ground running, and it was immediately clear that we were in for a treat. The energy throughout was consistently high, with an enthusiasm that the audience gladly went along with.

The set was incredibly impressive and worked beautifully across each scene. The central Rydell High School sign was a standout feature, and Greased Lightnin’ was superb – made even more impressive by reading in the programme that much of this work was crafted by cast members themselves, which speaks volumes about commitment behind the scenes. The easily movable stair units worked very much in your favour, and the swift transitions of the diner table and seating were a visual delight. On occasions, however, I did feel that scene transitions without significant physical change were a little slow-paced. Where lighting shifts are used to move focus from one area to another, these should ideally be almost instantaneous, allowing the action to pick straight back up and maintain momentum.

I also felt that the final scene before the interval would have benefitted from the curtain coming straight down. The audience appeared momentarily uncertain as to whether the interval had begun, which was then clarified by theatre staff opening doors while actors were still on stage – a small moment, but one that slightly disrupted an otherwise strong Act One close.

There were two moments where I found myself slightly distracted. In an early scene where the Pink Ladies were delivering dialogue while the Burger Palace Boys remained on stage, the boys throwing a book around – while not necessarily out of character – did draw focus away from the dialogue. Similarly, I questioned the use of dancers during “Hopelessly Devoted to You.” This is such a sincere and introspective moment within the show that it would have been more impactful had the focus remained solely on Sandy.

Moving on from these points, there were some truly outstanding moments. “Born to Hand Jive,” “Beauty School Drop Out” (thank you for the delightful little mention,) “Summer Nights,” “Mooning,” and the “Grease Megamix” all landed exactly where they needed to, completely engaging the audience and showcasing the production at its strongest.

I would also like to comment on the sheer abundance of energy from the entire cast. This production served as a shining example of how committed, enthusiastic performances allow an audience to feel safe in the hands of the company – and that sense of trust made for an extremely enjoyable evening of theatre.

Technical effects, Costumes & Props

Lighting balances throughout the production were generally very well judged, supporting both the mood and the action on stage. There were a couple of moments where Vince Fontaine could have benefitted from slightly more focused lighting, as his face was left a little in shadow, but overall, both lighting and sound worked effectively in support of the show. There were the occasional microphone pops, which is something to be mindful of in future productions, but on the whole sound balance was strong and allowed the performances to land clearly.

Costumes were a real highlight of this production. Every look felt authentic to the time and worked brilliantly in defining character, adding colour, personality, and visual clarity throughout. The wigs, which can sometimes be a challenge in productions of this nature, were an absolute success here and contributed greatly to the overall polish of the show.

Props were also well selected and presented, integrating seamlessly into the format of the production and further supporting characterisation and storytelling. Collectively, the technical effects, costumes, and props played a significant role in enhancing the audience’s experience and the visual strength of the show.

Musical Director

What a task you had – musically directing one of the most recognisable musicals ever to grace the stage – and you made it look effortless. The musical delivery throughout the production was strong, with each number performed confidently and with clear attention to style and pacing.

While there were one or two moments where vocals briefly struggled to compete with the band’s sound level, the overall balance was well handled, and these moments did little to detract from the enjoyment of the show. It was clear that you worked closely with each performer to find vocal ranges that suited them well, allowing singers to perform comfortably and confidently throughout. Overall, this was a well-directed and enjoyable musical performance – great job.

Choreographer

This was truly one of the standout strengths of the entire production. I can honestly say this is one of the best-choreographed shows I have seen, and I take my hat off to you both. Throughout the evening, nothing ever felt out of place, clumsy, or even slightly awkward – every movement was purposeful, polished, and completely in keeping with both the style of the show and the abilities of the cast.

You excelled in creating choreography that was consistently engaging while allowing performers to shine individually and collectively. In what was already a sea of outstanding routines, “Born to Hand Jive” stood out as a particular highlight, delivering energy, precision, and sheer enjoyment in abundance. Truly superb work on an exceptionally well-choreographed production.

Danny Zuko – Sam

You were every inch Danny Zuko from start to finish. Visually striking from your first appearance, you immediately embodied the character and clearly understood how to play the audience, delivering a confident and engaging performance throughout.

Vocally, you performed strongly, and your dance ability was equally impressive, bringing great energy and precision to the musical numbers. You carried the perfect swagger for Danny, capturing his bravado and charm effectively, and your chemistry with Sandy worked beautifully, helping to anchor the central storyline of the show. This was a superb and thoroughly enjoyable performance.

Sandy Dumbrowski – Taya

You captured the essence of Sandy very well, while still bringing your own interpretation to the role, which was refreshing to see. My initial thought was “Sandy…a brunette?” but it quickly became clear that this was a deliberate choice to make the character your own – and it worked very effectively.

With strong vocals and confident dance ability, you brought a well-rounded performance to this iconic role. Combined with a clear understanding of Sandy’s journey throughout the show, you created a convincing and engaging character that was a pleasure to watch. A strong performance – well done.

Rizzo – Holly

Rizzo is arguably one of the most sought-after roles in this musical, and it’s easy to see why. She is a wonderfully layered character with far more depth and complexity than first appears, and that gives the performer a great deal to explore.

Vocally, you were one of the strongest on stage throughout the evening. Your performance of “There Are Worse Things I Could Do” was particularly impressive and, for me, stood out as the vocal highlight of the entire production. It was delivered with control, emotion, and confidence, and it clearly resonated with the audience.

At times, however, I did feel there was an opportunity to lean even further into Rizzo’s trademark attitude. She is very much a bare-knuckle, take-no-prisoners character, and embracing that sharper edge can really help her stand apart from the rest of the company. On a couple of occasions it felt as though you held back slightly in that respect, but this is only a small note within what was otherwise a very strong performance in a demanding role.

Kenickie – Angelo

You both looked and embodied the role of Kenickie extremely well, immediately establishing the character with the confidence and attitude the part requires. From your first appearance it was clear that you understood the character and how he fits within the dynamic of the Burger Palace Boys.

I was also impressed to see that you are somewhat of a Grease veteran, having performed in the show a number of times, and that experience certainly showed. You were clearly comfortable in the role, delivering the character with confidence and consistency throughout. Your understanding of Kenickie’s personality and presence translated into a strong and assured performance.

Frenchie – Abigail

You brought a lively and engaging energy to the role of Frenchie, adding a wonderful sense of fun and personality whenever you were on stage. Your characterisation fitted very naturally within the dynamic of the Pink Ladies, helping to create a strong sense of friendship and group identity throughout the production.

Frenchie is a character that thrives on warmth and charm, and you captured that well, contributing positively to many of the ensemble scenes and interaction. Overall, you delivered an enjoyable performance that added colour and vibrancy.

Doody – Alfie

What can I say…you are simply a star. From the moment you stepped on stage your presence was electric, and you had a wonderful ability to draw the audience’s attention whenever you appeared.

Your comedy timing was excellent, with reactions and delivery that consistently landed well and added great entertainment value to scenes you were part of. Time and again you managed to steal the moment without overplaying it, which is a real skill.

You were certainly one of the standout performances of the evening and were genuinely gripping to watch. Based on this performance, I can only say that I see a very bright future ahead for you.

Marty – Claudia

You brought a confident stage presence to the role of Marty and maintained a clear and consistent character throughout the production. Your performance fitted well within the dynamic of the Pink Ladies, adding personality and energy to the group scenes while contributing to the strong overall company performance.

Sonny LaTierri – Eliot

You delivered a good performance overall and contributed well to the dynamic of the Burger Palace Boys throughout the show. At times, however, I did feel you slightly disappeared within a couple of scenes. Remember that even when dialogue is limited, you can still plant yourself confidently within the moment and capture the audience’s attention through character presence and reaction. Ensuring you remain visibly engaged in every scene will help strengthen an already solid performance.

Jan – Shannon

You were an absolute delight to watch. From your first appearance you brought a completely different and refreshing dynamic to the stage, adding a wonderful layer of humour and personality to the Pink Ladies.

You were clearly one of the stronger comedy performers of the evening, demonstrating a natural instinct for comic timing and characterisation. It is obvious that you are a very capable comedy actress, and you delivered the role of Jan with confidence, making for a thoroughly enjoyable performance – great job.

Roger – Joe

I read that Grease is your favourite musical, and that certainly showed in your performance. Having seen you deliver some memorable roles during my time as Rep for this district; I must say this was probably my favourite performance from you so far. You clearly had great fun with the role, bringing energy and personality to the character, and your chemistry with Jan was wonderful to watch. A very enjoyable performance.

Patty Simcox – Poppy

You delivered an engaging performance as Patty and clearly had great fun with the role throughout the show. Your characterisation added a bright lively presence whenever you were on stage, contributing nicely to bring the world of Rydell High to life. An enjoyable performance that added another layer to the production.

Eugine Florczyk – Cody

You certainly embraced the character of Eugine and captured the “geek” persona very effectively. Your portrayal added another layer of comedy to the production, and the characterisation worked well in the wider dynamic of the group. It was an enjoyable performance that helped bring additional humour to the show.

Miss Lynch & Miss Blanche – Kelly & Caroline

Together you both provided an important ingredient to the production, portraying the stern, no-nonsense teachers of Rydell High while also delivering some very enjoyable comic moments. Whether it was the wonderfully awkward announcements or your attempts to maintain decorum during the dance, your performances added humour and character at just the right moments. You complimented each other well on stage and contributed nicely to the overall storytelling – great job both.

Teen Angel – Stephen

You had the wonderful responsibility of delivering one of the most memorable numbers in the entire musical, and you rose to the occasion brilliantly. Your entrance created a real moment within the show, and your costume was truly out of this world – giving the impression of a delightful cross between Elton John and Liberace. It was a fantastic visual and theatrical moment, and you carried it with great confidence and flair, landing the performance flawlessly.

Vince Fontaine – Jonny

You were certainly very well cast as Vince Fontaine, bringing exactly the kind of smooth, salesman-style charm that the character requires. Your confident stage presence and visual flair suited the role perfectly, allowing you to command attention whenever you appeared. Vince is very much the showman of the evening, and you captured that personality well, delivering the role with confidence and style.

Ensemble

As with any production, the ensemble forms the backbone of the show – the cement that holds everything together – and you were an outstanding ensemble. Your energy, commitment, and presence on stage ensures that every scene felt full, vibrant, and engaging. The choreography was executed sharply, vocals were tight, and the individual character choices many of you added brought further depth and personality to the overall look and feel of the production. Collectively, you played a vital role in the success of the show and should be very proud of the contribution you made.

Director

Bringing a production such as Grease to the stage is no small task. With such an iconic and widely recognised musical, audiences arrive with clear expectations, and it takes confident and thoughtful direction to balance honouring the well-loved elements of the show while still allowing the company to make it their own. Overall, you delivered a lively, energetic production that clearly had the audience fully engaged from beginning to end.

The show maintained strong momentum throughout, supported by impressive choreography, confident performances, and a company who clearly enjoyed every moment of being on stage. The visual presentation, particularly the set pieces and staging choices, worked very well and created a strong sense of place throughout the production. It was also evident that you encouraged the cast to develop individual character moments, which added depth and personality across the company.

There were a few moments where slightly tighter pacing or staging adjustments could further strengthen the production – for example some scene transitions and a handful of staging choices where sightlines or focus could have been refined. These are relatively small observations within what was otherwise a very successful and thoroughly enjoyable production.

Overall, you should be very proud of the show you have created. The audience response spoke volumes, and it was clear that a great deal of work, care, and enthusiasm had gone into bringing this production to life. Congratulations to you and the entire team on delivering such an entertaining evening of theatre.

See you all soon, much love.

Stephen x

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