Grease

Sometimes you see a show that you know is going to trigger all the necessary emotions to make it special...Here we had just that show! The Lowestoft Players are known for quality, so comparisons with their own high standards are difficult and margins small; but although it’s a game of opinions this was one of those shows that encompassed the whole range of abilities to challenge any society to make it not just good, but outstanding in all departments, and I mean all. Technicals and set creation are not always something to admire but The Players have so many talented people behind the scenes that it must be a pleasure to perform with that assurance!

Ok, so it still needs quality performances to deliver the ‘goods’. Here we had a mixture of newcomers as first timers to The Players, plus some really excellent firsts from their own ranks. We are treated to full on nostalgia (for some of us!) as the show opens with the T-Birds, Pink Ladies and Company who really give a brilliant, energetic, stylish, as good a rendition of those iconic numbers, ‘Grease Is The Word’ and ‘Summer Nights’, as you could wish to hear. The boys of T-Birds are particularly strong as Kenickie (Ricky Reeve) suitably keen to impress his mates and the girls at any opportunity and show off his Greased Lightning banger of a car...and yes it did actually appear ...well at least the front half! Sonny (Lawrie Groom) with his hormones racing and always looking for the ‘main chance’ to gain experience with the opposite sex and providing some great moments of humour with actions and words. Doody (Daniel Hughes) who was always keen to show his cool and his newly achieved guitar prowess with four chord changes, then launching into a great moving rendition of  ‘Those Magic Changes’. Roger (Simon Warren) with some cool moves of his own, and taking his first principal singing role showing his vocal prowess was of the highest order. Their choreography was particularly well conceived and delivered... They were a great gang...brilliant throughout...!

They were of course led by Danny (Tom Guttridge) who was every inch the ‘John Travolta’ of the piece, down to his little throaty chuckle, and of course his truly memorable gyrations and iconic songs that make this such a memorable piece for older generations and indeed for newcomers experiencing the ‘buzz’ for the first time. It was a performance to savour; his challenges to appear the ‘coolest’ to his mates and attempts to keep his love for Sandy a reality really showed true emotion and belief for the audience. Superb!

 Of course the T-Birds, target for the boy’s teenage sexual fantasies were The Pink Ladies, who were equally outstanding as they showed their own teenage angst and complexities; with Rizzo (Emily Simpson) capturing the essence of her troubled but brash persona as she aspires to be the ring leader in all things ‘bad’, but is clearly vulnerable emotionally. Her brazen and attention seeking attempts to impress were particularly well portrayed. Frenchy (Lorna Tucker) was always aware of her appearance and kept the persona of her character even when her hair was turned violent pink by accident!  Marty (Claire Doughty) was true to herself as she attempted to be the class act of the T-Birds and added strong vocal support. Jan (Angie Smith) always with an eye on Roger and able to convey her disappointment as his inexperience seemed to her like a rejection. Her enthusiasm was infectious and he got the message...eventually! Great duet, ‘Mooning’ with Roger. The Pink Ladies were truly girls with an ‘edge’!

So how do you replicate the well remembered O N-J effect? Sandy ( Isabelle Anderson) showed just the right balance of  non worldly naivety and all that appeared counter to the ambitions of the other Pink Ladies...that is until she transformed, complete with skin tight leather jeans, to the girl of Danny’s dreams (feminists close your eyes!). Her solos’ were top class with ‘Hopelessly Devoted To You’ particularly moving. Her gentle but persuasive manner was a perfect foil to the up front thrusting attentions of Danny; but of course this all leads to the happy and rousing closing number ‘You’re the One That I Want’ with the full cast on stage creating the most joyful ‘feel good’ finale as they segue` into, ‘We Go Together’, culminating in a  parade around the audience encouraging us to share all the energy they have generated.   

There were other supporting roles all played to a high standard. Geeky scholar Eugene (Campbell Trotter) with compulsory big glasses and nicely book bound, but eager to be involved. Stylish all American Hand Jive MC and Radio Announcer Vince Fontaine (Stephen Shields) some clever scrim effects for his radio slots! The dream sequence Teen Angel (Craig Lovatt) also of several other parts with many wigs! All played to perfection. High School teacher Miss Lynch (Rosamund Payne), well you can forgive Sonny being besotted, as she administers her stern authority with style; she was just right. Waitress, Blanche (Sandra Skipper) had perfected her Bronx accent and revelled in her cameo role! Coach Calhoon (Jimmy Atkin) put Danny through his reluctant paces in good style and also filled in other ‘extra’ male smaller parts. Johnny Casino (David Evans) a voice from on high in the ‘Hand Jive’. All gelled together to form the well drilled Company who were boosted by a trio of very harmonious ‘Pit Singers’ and a well balanced 5 piece band situated on scaffolding cleverly semi concealed above the stage. I did feel the opening to Act 2, leading to the ‘Hand Jive’ contest, was a trifle protracted and over played, but that is a minor point, and a script essential, far outweighed by the overall superb quality of this production.

This show is virtually sold out so if you hear how good it is, you may be too late! That’s a warning to book early for Lowestoft Players next productions which include the ever popular Christmas Spectacular in December followed in January by their Award winning Panto in January and leading to next year’s big Marina show ‘Sister Act’. You won’t see better productions even on the pro stage...This is a Society of mostly younger local people (and a few older!) and one we can all be proud of !

And at the moment, ‘Grease Is The Word !’. Catch it if you can... Its special !!

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