Grease

Dynamic, colourful and full of fun would be an appropriate description of this production of Grease. This large cast of young people commanded the stage and were totally involved delivering each production number with gusto and confidence. The choreography throughout was slick and lively with the cast obviously thoroughly enjoying each number. The musical numbers are of course well known and an audience has expectations but they were not disappointed. ‘We Go Together’ was electric as was the opening of Act 2 with the girls in their colourful 50’s dresses ‘Shakin at the High School hop’ and ‘Born to Hand Jive’ with the leather clad lads who really had the 50’s style and mannerisms. This bold scene came to an end with Rachel McCorkell (Sandy) singing ‘Hopelessly Devoted to You’ with such passion and sincerity. Rachel was the perfectly naive and innocent Sandy whose transition to the sexy Sandy was quite striking. She was well matched with Fraser Jamieson the heart throb Danny who gave a snappy performance and whose ‘Alone at a Drive in Movie’ was beautifully sung.

 The consistent high standard of singing and acting from all of the principal characters was most impressive. Each of the T Birds developed his own individual, interesting character and style and they worked well together giving it their all in ‘Greased Lightning’ but also delivering some excellent solo numbers –loved ‘Mooning’

The Pink Ladies too were very well cast and portrayed their individual characters convincingly. Laura Addison’s Rizzo was suitably arrogant and raunchy but her powerful rendition of ‘There are Worse Things I Could Do’ left the audience feeling that there was a vulnerability in her character. Ellie Sager was a vivacious Frenchie and the number ‘Beauty School Dropout’ sung by Teen Angel Gareth Brown was one of the highlights of the evening. With such a large principal cast it is almost unfair to pick out individual performances. Suffice to say that all of the supporting roles were also first class. Rarely does one see a production where there are no weak links but this was certainly the case here.

Subtle, clever lighting enhanced a simple set used well to depict the various settings while the band kept things swinging along at a good pace.

The Bohemians are very fortunate in having so many talented young men and girls with fine singing voices and good stage presence. This was an excellent production all round which the audience, who almost had to be restrained from singing along, loved.

Playing to full houses all week must surely have been the icing on the cake! Congratulations to all involved in this first class show.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.