Grease

Unless you are from another planet you will be familiar with the film version of this show starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John. However for me the stage version is so much better with more rounded characters and varied songs.

This society did a great job on this production. The sets were well constructed and used well, including the car for Grease Lightning. The props worked well and were in keeping with the era. The costumes looked great and suited each character’s individuality. The sound had a few problems but it was a particularly hot week and dealing with sweaty bodies and body mikes can be difficult. The lighting plot enhanced the scenes.

I enjoyed the direction very much by Nick who stepped in with weeks to go but was disappointed that the guitar wasn’t kept by Doody throughout his number “Those Magic Changes”. For me the ribbing he gets from the other boys at his less than expert guitar skills changing to his perfect playing as the number kicks in was lost. However despite this I loved the number, the vocals were fantastic by Sam Maurice and the dream scene with dancing girls worked well

The band were well conducted by Paul Firth but the balance and introduction on certain numbers such as Grease Lightning lacked vibrancy. The song itself was expertly delivered by Gary Jones McCaw who put in a cracking performance as Kenicke displaying a dark, moody, cool dude characterisation which fitted the part beautifully.

The choreography on the show was fantastic with punchy and precise moves drilled to allow actors characters to shine through.

There were some lovely scene stealing performances from the cast including some smaller parts which were expertly played by Paul Allison as Vince Fontaine, Carl Morgan as Teen Angel and Mikey Jones McCaw as the comic role Eugene.  I loved Helena Ferrera as Cha Cha as she really threw herself into the role and literally in the dance moves.

The Pink Ladies looked great with each playing their parts well. Vocally and with attitude Justine Moore played a great Rizzo with one of the best numbers in the show in “There are Worse Things I Could Do”.  Sarah Thewlis was a street wise Marty, Kimberley Bates a confused Frenchie and Jordanne Woodward was fabulous as Jan who ate her way through the scenes and sang beautifully on “Mooning”

Paul Hodgkinson played a sleazy Sonny believing all woman are in love with him with a comic determination to get a girl. Phil Harrison as Roger didn’t quite gel for me and his chemistry, vocals and dance moves with the other boys in the gang was not as drilled as the others.

Vocally Rosie Plummer as Sandy did a lovely job opposite Dominic Penney as Danny who looked the part but I felt the chemistry between the two was missing despite good performances individually.

The chorus routines all sounded great and the dance moves were well drilled and effective. The direction worked really well and the cast generally put in energetic, defined performances. Everyone involved in the show both on and off stage played their parts in creating a wonderful evening’s entertainment.

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