Grease - School Edition

It was quite refreshing to see a show about teenagers being performed by a group of youngsters and especially interesting as this was a show from as long ago as the 1970s, which in fact is set several years before that. No doubt references to teenage idols of the time, Sandra Dee, Ricky Nelson and the fact that the school in which the action takes place is itself named after a pop star of the time would all have to be explained but, on the other hand, the show and the film version have remained sufficiently popular over the years as to be popular viewing in many homes. Those anxious to know whether Pat Boone was male or female might have had to ask a grandparent.

Whatever might have been their initial thoughts about performing what to young minds might have seemed a somewhat historic piece, it was clear from the start that the cast could appreciate why it seems to have stood the test of time. Although the plot in this school version removes some themes from the original, it still explores matters such as teenage relationships and the problems of peer pressure, which are still around today, perhaps even to a greater degree than all those years ago.

Chiara Shipway gave a fine performance as the innocent and rather naive Sandy, who ultimately transforms into a much more confident character, with a pleasant singing voice and good stage presence. Her character had experienced a brief relationship a few weeks earlier ("Summer Nights") with Danny Zuko and Sebastian Sackville-Bryant, in his first experience of stage work outside school productions, left us hoping this would not be his last. His character has all the worldliness which Sandy lacks but it is easy for this to come across as being rather too much, to the extent that the audience almost wishes some misfortune to befall him so as to bring him down a peg. This was not the case here and instead his performance was perfectly pitched. Frankie Jackson as the equally sure-of-himself and car-loving Kenickie did not disappoint with his version of "Greased Lightning". There's an excellent scene featuring Teen Angel ("Beauty School Dropout") and Theo Bilby made the most of his opportunity to impress whilst Director and Choreographer                (William Thirlaway and Molly Aikman) seized the chance to show their skills in staging the number with memorable costumes and hair-pieces. Sandy is (more or less) supported by school friends known as the Pink Ladies and they were well played by Natasha Hubbert (Rizzo), Elizabeth Jones (the would-be beautician, Frenchy), Anais Writer (Jan) and Lydia Smithson as Marty, in love with a marine, whom we never see but is apparently the donor of several gifts, well described in her song "Freddy, my love". As Danny's group of friends, the Burger Palace Boys, Harry Mason (Sonny), Oliver Parrish (Eugene) provided good support, as did Jamie Tabor as Roger, with his love of mooning and William Parkes as Doody with skills on guitar much greater than he originally led us to believe ("Those magic changes"). A hand jive contest takes place in the second act in which Danny is paired with his current amour, Cha Cha (short for Charlene Di Gregorio), an accomplished dancer from a rival school. This is something of a cameo role but Sofia Dunbar's dancing skills made it clear from the start that she would be part of the winning team. Katy Stapley-Hinton tried to instil some discipline as the somewhat unpopular member of the teaching staff, Miss Lynch.

All told there were 32 youngsters involved, a great tribute to the strength of this youth group and to the way in which their leaders, not much older themselves, had inspired them to a high standard of performance. Their energy and enthusiasm was obvious from the start and it was clear that they all thoroughly enjoyed themselves. I hope they will continue to pursue what is such a rewarding hobby and, some possibly even into a professional career, but the experience and confidence they will have gained through taking part in this production will doubtless serve them well in the future.

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