Grease

Gosh I must be old! I can remember sitting in the New London Theatre in 1973 and seeing Richard Gere (Officer and a Gentleman and Pretty Women) and later I believe Elaine Page took over as Sandy, we all know who she is!! 

Maidstone's Hazlitt theatre was full on Wednesday night and quite rightly so. This can be a difficult show to cast because of the age of the actors, all teenagers. But I must say once we were aware of the talent on stage we forget that. Barry Shyvers, your direction assisted by Graham Hazelden was slick and you brought out the best in your actors, you should be proud of yourselves and proud of them too. As I’m sure you are. Choreography by Rosie Kitchingham was perfect for the period, also Sami Mason, you certainly got a good sound from your principles and ensemble. Costumes were mainly true to the period for the girls, but the boys I would have liked to have seen a few draped jackets. I know I had mine In the 60s! Other than that all were colourful. Set: I felt there was a lot of black outs. Nowadays, sets are moved with lights up and using the cast to move. Sorry. 

Sandy, played by Emily Price, and Danny by George Wood, were perfectly paired both able to give us good acting and voices to match. Rizzo (Esther Barnes) and Kenickie (Tony Chase): what a pair, great characterisation from both. The supporting actors, too many to mention but, believe me, you added a great deal of energy to this cast. Whether at the front or at the back. You had Julie Argent to keep you in order!!!! I hope you continue to keep up this standard of musical theatre for Maidstone. 

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