I think it’s safe to say that we all love a bit of GREASE. From the moment in 1978 when the movie burst onto our screens, along with John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, we’ve sung, danced and partied to every song on the soundtrack.
There is something very special about the musical, and a packed Wales Millennium Centre echoed that last night (Tuesday). The crowd were out in force for this new production, which we have to say is very different to the many we have seen before. Yes, it’s still set in 1959, but now has a modern, glamorous, grittier and edgier feel than other productions. The dancing takes more centre stage and is sharper and actually fits really well into the story.
Arlene Phillips waved her hand over the choreography and it really is ‘electrifying’.
This is one of those shows which crosses many generations, and with an audience of young and young at heart in the theatre last night the party was well underway long before the show began.
It all takes place at Rydell High School. At the start of term, Danny Zuko (MARLEY FENTON) is bragging to his gang mates about his passion filled summer with a girl called Sandy (HOPE DAWE). At the same time, Sandy, who has just started at Rydell is telling the gang of girls (pink Ladies) about the sweet, caring boy she spent the summer with. That boy was Danny and it’s clear their stories don’t quite match.
And so the on/off love story begins mixed in with teenage life at the high school and all the trials and tribulations that bring.
This production may well be grittier, and place more emphasis on the individual characters but the thing we love about Grease is right where it should be, the incredible soundtrack. From ‘Grease is the Word’, ‘Sandy‘, ‘You’re the One That I Want‘ and of course the obligatory Megamix, which had us all on our feet singing and dancing along to.
There was also a couple of stand out moments for me in the show. REBECCA STENHOUSE who plays Rizzo, delivered a really heartfelt rendition of ‘There Are Worse Things I Could Do‘. Also the slightly mad moment when Teen Angel (JOE GASH) appears from the clouds above to let Frenchy (ALICIA BELGARDE) know that she’s a ‘Beauty School Dropout‘.
Joe also plays the radio DJ Vince Fontaine and the way the set features him at the back and incorporates radios playing songs of the time is really reminiscent of the time (so I’m told).
I suppose what makes Grease the king of all musicals is its unforgettable soundtrack with songs that really have stood the test of time. But this is also a story with great heart and captures the essence of teenage life in a competitive high school. Marley delivers a great performance capturing the both ultra cool guy and the romantic Danny Zuko who tries to win the heart of Sandy.
He plays well opposite Hope, who gives an exceptional performance as Sandy, capturing the innocence and vulnerability of this girl navigating her way around a new school. And of course, we get that transitional moment when we get to see bad-girl Sandy and good boy Danny.
The rest of the cast are all given moments to shine in this non-stop show which moves along like Greased Lightning
You can take a look at our previous audience reaction HERE.
Director Nikolai Foster, has spoken of his desire to return the show to its theatrical origins. This is where the ‘glamorous and grittier‘ thing comes in, and I think he has achieved that with this production. The show doesn’t give such a rose-tinted spectacle view of the 1950s but yet retains all the things we love about this classic musical.
For a lot of the audience we spoke to last night this was their first encounter with GREASE on stage, which is a testament to the show and the affection in which it’s held. Apart from anything, it’s an energetic 2 hours of escapism with a great story and songs we know and love.
GREASE – THE MUSICAL is at the Wales Millennium Centre this week through to Saturday 7th Performances are at 7:30pm with a 2:30pm matinee on Thursday and Saturday. Tickets for some performances are starting to show limited availability, in fact the 2:30pm matinee on Saturday only has wheelchair spaces available. For more details go HERE.
