Grease

Fantastic! I am running out of adjectives to describe Darlington’s shows. This was really a continuation from their last show, ‘Strictly Musicals’, with lots of young actors putting everything into their performance, making the audience go home breathless and exhausted after watching a simply marvellous production which was professionally performed in every department.  There were outstanding performances in all the leading parts with Selena Blain, as Sandy, leading the way. Michael Hirst, playing his first leading role as Danny, really matched her and both were also matched very well by Ben Conner, playing Doody, with Nick Holmes, playing Kenickie, always not very far behind.

Sandy’s friend Rizzo was very well played by Katie Carter whose all round performance, singing and dancing, was excellent.  A very sparkling performance was given by Claire Williams, playing Patty, especially on her first appearance.  Sandy’s girl-friends, known as Pink Ladies, included  Marty, very well played by Georgina Cornelius, and Frenchy, played by Becky  Naylor.  Danny had friends including Sonny, played by Rod McDougal. The boys soon got mixed up with a rival gang, and Cha Cha, played by Karen  Stone, claimed to have danced with Danny which causes some confusion. Sandy and Danny put everything behind them, however, sitting in Greased Lightning (the car) at the drive-in movie. Mention must be made of Roger and Jan, played by Andrew Hamilton and Hayley Walker respectively, who were brilliant. The dance routines were superb. The sets (from Scenic Projects) were excellent. The orchestra, under the baton of Michael Trotter, was just right.  With near-capacity audiences over the ten-day run, the Society can be very pleased with the result. It is hard to think that they are amateurs, because this was really a professional show.  If there was a criticism, it would be that they spoke too fast, as at times the excellent American accents made the words hard to understand, but that still doesn’t take away the fact that this was a great  show.

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