Grease the Musical is the stage version of the iconic 70s movie musical of the same name which immortalised John Travolta and Olivia Newton John into popular culture.
NK Theatre Arts’ famous energy was tangible from the first bar of ‘Grease Is The Word’ where all characters appeared on stage, setting the scene of first day back at Rydell High School after the summer break as they sang the overture song. A really cleverly thought setting scene where we saw the interplay between the geeks, the jocks, the T-birds and the Pink Ladies. A simple, open stage with back wall and the famous bleachers were used throughout. The seating was intelligently used to hide the famous ‘Greased Lightning‘ car which appeared three times throughout the show. At audience level, stage right was the radio broadcaster’s set and stage left we had Sandy’s dressing table and vanity. These were used a couple of times for the link scenes of ‘Hopelessly Devoted’ and ‘Sandra Dee reprise' and it made complete sense to not stop the action to drag a truck on the main stage.
From the start, the characterisations were spot on. Geeky Eugene (the hilarious Jay Dodd) and irritating, goody-two-shoes, Patty Simcox (Becky Cheetham) heads of the school council had us belly-laughing at their nerdiness. Miss Lynch, Rydell’s principal, was played with stern conviction by Jennifer Wallis Getcheffsky who had just a glint of naughtiness in her eye whilst rebuking and cajoling the errant teens.
What NK have in absolute abundance is an ensemble company with magnificent, musical theatre voices, an immensely talented creative team and a technical team of professional calibre. The whole cast lived and breathed life, love and energy into this piece of theatre which has high audience expectation as most people know the movie - well. They did not disappoint.
Creative choreography from both director and choreographer, Hannah Gorst and dance captain Dawn Wrigley. The hand jive dance-off was a joy to watch. The director had a clear vision, to be true to the film whilst making it work for this large company. Summer Nights was tremendously sung and performed by the boys and the girls and we were treated to a reprise in the Grease Megamix during the finale.
The T-birds, led by John Dean’s incredible Danny Zuko worked and connected well. There were some memorable voices in there. Dean’s Travoltesque turn in the hand jive number: complete with open shirt and hairy chest was wonderful. Mike Miller as Kenickie took full control of the ‘Greased Lightning’ number with a fabulous amount of company on stage whipping up the energy which was infectious. Ben Taylor as Doody has such a pleasant, engaging stage presence and his ‘Magic Changes’ guitar solo was highly entertaining as the hidden girls joined in from out of the showers as groupies. The use of the locker room props was very funny. We were blessed with the voice of Callum Stretton as Rodger with his ‘Mooning‘ number and what a falsetto he has! I could listen to him all day long. Solid support also from Tom Leonard’s ‘Sonny’ who completed the T-Bird set of high school juveniles trying hard to be tough whilst tripping over first loves and the challenges of school and youth.
At the high school prom, Sarah Tullet’s ‘Cha Cha’ danced and looked the part so well with Dean’s ‘Danny’ and some great acting and reactions. They deserved to win! Johnny Casino’s ‘Born to Hand Jive’ had cheesy life and authenticity breathed into by Jake Ridgeway who completely got it. Now, to the rest of the girls: The Pink Ladies. Wow! These girls had it all: they looked great, they acted well together and boy could they sing. Lauren Sanckson’s ‘Sandy’ was a masterclass in how to contemporise numbers we think we know and can only be sung in one way. ’Hopelessly Devoted’ was stunning. I loved her characterisation. She looked terrific, (not many people can wear those trousers well) and she had a lovely relationship with the girls and with Danny. Rizzo, the hard-boiled, soft-under-the-surface, tough cookie was played with aplomb by Megan Leonard but I did think it was a little low in her register at times. Her light and shade with the dynamics of the story were very well played and it was a controlled and talented performance. The Pink ladies owned it from the off. Jade Wilbraham’s greedy but cute Jan was just right and I loved her ‘Raining on Prom night’ solo. Charlotte Sivori’s quirky Frenchie, who quits high school for beauty school, was delightful. The ‘Beauty School Drop Out’ number was true to the film but the groupings were a little bit messy with the angels struggling to find shapes. Vince Fontain/Teen Angel was played with great comedy timing by Christopher Grixti with enough playful, tongue-in-cheek sincerity to make the audience smile. Lastly, Marty, beautifully played by Emma Ealastair completed the tea-set of sassy, ahead-of-their-time, high school girls who change Sandy into the bombshell siren for the finale that knocks Danny sideways.
Musically, the singing was as tight as I’ve heard in amateur theatre but as there were no band credits in the programme, I am guessing they used very high quality backing tracks and were synched to perfection with every pause spot on. The MD had achieved some excellent vocal performances and I heard some lyrics this afternoon to some of the songs which I hadn’t realised were the real lyrics thanks to the clarity and diction of the singers.
And what a finale you gave us! ‘You’re The One That I Want’ with the whole company joining to finish a show that was sublime. The audience, young and old, enjoyed it thoroughly and it was a pleasure to watch.
Reviewer - Kathryn Gorton
on - 30/3/19
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