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It has been a long time since I last saw a production of the ever-popular 'Grease', but the last production I did see, was the UK professional tour, and where these two shows differ was quite astounding. PADOS Youth's production succeeding in doing something fundamental with this show which the professional tour completely failed to do, and that is to understand the reason why this show exists and the driving force behind the characters. This is a show about teenage angst and their sexual awakenings and proclivities. Yes, this show is about horny teenagers! Hearty congratulations to PADOS Youth for taking the bull by the horns and recognising this and performing it with sincerity and gusto! You also put the professional tour to shame completely in this regard.
The show's story - just in case you have been living under a rock in a cave in the Antarctic - centres around Danny and Sandy. They have spent their summer holidays together on the beach, falling in love, not realising that they would be attending the same school come September. Sandy is new to the area, and also rather prim and a goody-two-shoes, whilst in school, Danny just happens to be the leader of the local 'Greaser' gang, The T Birds. Sandy, despite her reticence and upbringing, is unwittingly enrolled into the female version of the gang, The Pink Ladies, and comedy ensues as Rizzo, the Pink Ladies' leader revels in the knowledge that Danny and Sandy are in love but so utterly mismatched - that is, until the end of the show, when Sandy decides the only way to get her man is to be like him - "tell me about it, stud!".
PADOS Youth currently boasts some very talented performers. The singing throughout was truly excellent, and I enjoyed listening to all the harmonies from chorus and ensemble. I enjoyed all the songs, which were all interpreted with skill, whilst the band (I am assuming there was a live band, although no mention of it is made in the programme) sounded superb under Sarah Osmond's direction, and was played at the correct volume throughout. In all honesty the principal cast were excellently chosen and all gave highly credible and creditable performances. Bernard Cooper's Danny was centred and intelligently portrayed, very easy to watch, and his dancing very proficient. Sandy was played with demure poise by Sylvie Knightley, and her rendition of 'Hopelessly Devoted' sent shivers down my spine. Abbey Wheeler was a very confident, no-nonsense Rizzo, and she was able to make us sympathise for her when she thought she was 'knocked up' - not an easy ask for anyone playing that role. Sensitively characterised. Frenchy (Juliette Wilson), Marty (Isla Davidson), Jan (Emily Sapseid), and Doody (Emily Ring), Kenickie (Luke Nichols), Sonny (Alex Hadlow), and Roger (Cavan Jefferson), made up the other characterful members of The Pink Ladies and The T Birds respectively, all having their individualities showcased nicely with their moments in the spotlight as well as giving superb support as cameos throughout. The sub-plot between Kenickie and Rizzo was well placed. It was the utterly unique portrayal of both Eugene and Teen Angel which gave this show its individuality however. Young Elijah Walton is obviously a talented actor, unafraid of pushing himself and his acting ability, and in so doing created two cameo roles which he made completely his own, especially Eugene. I have never seen this character portrayed this way before, but it worked for him and his diminutive size made it all the more comedic. Other cameos were played by Darcie Moore as a very upbeat and chatty Patty, Luke Ratcliffe as Vince Fontaine, Joshua Ingham as Johnny Casino, Rebecca Lyons as Miss Lynch, and Isabella Fallon as the dancing date from a rival school and rival gang, Cha-Cha.
The chorus work, as I have already said, sounded superb. Some of the choreography was a little ragged, but I believe this was because of a lack of space on stage, and perhaps also first night nerves. Suzi Cleary's choreography worked superbly in the Alma Mater Parody and the High School Hop sequences, although I did see many moves plagiarised from the film version throughout! But hey, when it's a good move and it works....!
The stage was a school gym, and each scene used a part of this gym setting as well as other larger set items brought in by the stagehands. Changes were generally swift and did not interfere with the smooth running of the show. I liked the idea of basing the whole set design on a school gym, but it would have been very interesting to se how this would have worked had it been carried out to its logical conclusion and utilised school gym equipment exclusively. Directed by Helen Wilkinson, it was a very high energy and upbeat show, and it must have been difficult to keep these youths' energies and enthusiams in check! Characterisations were clear and defined nicely, chemistry between them was palpable, and having different ages and characters in the chorus worked well too. A couple of things however which I might point out. A spot light was needed on the radio on stage when Johnny Casino gave his speeches. The record that was given as a prize was quite clearly Jim Reeves! Another consideration was the small screen positioned centrally on the rear cyc. Not used at all except for playing the movie at the Drive-In. Perhaps it could have been used to identify each scene? I also found it very focus-pulling having the movie still playing during Danny's 'Sandy' song sadly. Costuming was mostly very good throughout, although I would have preferred a more obvious "Pink Ladies" jacket with them wearing them more of the time, and although wigs and hairstyles were mostly superb, the T-Birds should al have had grease in their hair and been true Greasers - hence the name of the musical in the first place! However, these are minor considerations in a show which, despite it's age, still manages to remain one of the all-time favourite teenie shows, and PADOS did the show proud!
Reviewer - Alastair Zyggu
on - 19.3.25
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