Grease School Edition

Fast paced and energetic from curtain up, the youngsters held their audience in thrall. The famous tunes of Summer Nights, Greased Lightning, Look At Me I’m Sandra Dee and Beauty School Dropout rang out and were filled with clear, articulated singing and well rehearsed movement and dance. All the youngsters performed with commitment and enthusiasm and dealt with the big dance numbers as one. The star couple, Sandy and Danny were well matched. Keira Strathie as Sandy gave us the innocent and earnest new pupil at Rydell HS who blossomed into the sassy teenager. She caught the difficulties of trying to fit in and of showing steel in her response to hostility. Her singing was true and soared over the chorus in that difficult number Summer Nights. Carter Lumsden as Danny leader of the Burger Boys cultivated the ‘cool’ image with his leather jacketed companions, but found himself torn between them and his feelings for Sandy. His singing was also strong. James Marshall gave us a convincing Kenickie whose brash demeanour fitted the bill. Lachlan Black as Rodger, Ryan Carlyle as Sonny and Ryan Watson as Doody, all caught the nervy experimental trials of adolescence especially in their own girl relationships, and brought humour into their teenage angst. Bethany Spowart lit up the role of Rizzo especially with a well delivered Look At Me I’m Sandra Dee. The other Pink Ladies also entered into their characters’ roles: Ava Maxwell as Marty and a well sung Freddy My Love; Mia Marsili as the friendly, self deprecating compulsive eater Jan; and Lily McGuire as the long suffering and charming Frenchy. Jessica Riddoch captured the agile cheerleader role of Patty learning that leadership does not always involve friendship while Alexander Marjoribanks did a splendid job with the geeky part of Eugene in manner and mannerisms. For adult characters, Miss Lynch was dominantly played by Abi Kelly, the announcer and singer Johnny Casino ably performed by Findlay Currie and Vince Fontaine was portrayed by Blair Hamilton as desperate in his need for recognition.. Other individuals of note were Eva Melville who sang beautifully as Teen Angel and Jorja McFadden with her dancing athleticism of Cha Cha Digregorio. More talent was displayed by the Dance Core and their amazing rolls, The Core Singers, Johnny Casino’s Band and the Drive-In Movie cast. The video wall worked unobtrusively setting scenes and the car for Greased Lightning was amazing. The 65 member cast needed the stage extension and adapted well to the smaller space of their new venue. Costumes resonated the era and were bright and colourful. It was clear that everyone had worked hard to present this rousing and entertaining production. Well done to all.

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