Dream Academy, a local privately run centre for children to attend classes in musical theatre, were very proud and happy to present their version of the evergreen musical 'Grease' this afternoon at St. Helens' Theatre Royal.
The show presented was neither the stage musical nor the film version, but an amalgam of both, but it worked nicely for the cast. A single set, utilising the 'iconic' raked sports benches to the rear, whilst smaller items were brought in as necessary on the forestage. Lighting, sound, and costumes were all good.
The company chose to use pre-recorded backing tracks for this show, which also included a few chorus harmonies too. which helped to fill out the on-stage choral sound.
The young cast, none of whom would be out of their teens, and some considerably younger, worked hard and obviously enjoyed bringing their long weeks of rehearsals to fruition. Lewis Canning worked hard to bring Danny Zuko to life. Not the traditional character. nut a slightly softer, and more 'human' characterisation, whilst Sandy (Alanna Brereton) impressed with her lovely rendition of 'Hopelessly Devoted To You'.
The T-Birds were completed with Jack Jones (Kenickie), Em Drinkwater (Doody), Demi Moore (Sonny), and Reuben Singh (Roger), whilst their respective Pink Ladies were Charlotte Magowan (Rizzo), Alix Dixon (Marty), Amy Hurst (Frenchy), and Mia Hurst (Jan). All worked extremely hard to create different characters that worked well together within their groups without trying to simply replicate their all-too-famous counterparts from the film.
Smaller cameo roles did not go unnoticed, and Jacob Sayer's Eugene and Bethany Addison's Patty were both very enjoyable.
Well done to all.
Reviewers - Matthew Dougall and Chris Benchley
on - 20.8.23
on - 20.8.23
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