Grease – the stage musical, playing now!
Monday 12 August to Saturday 17 August
Congress Theatre, Eastbourne
Review by Tony Flood
A delighted audience gave prolonged applause to show-stoppers Hopelessly Devoted To You, Greased Lightnin’ and Summer Nights, followed by a standing ovation at the end of Monday’s high-energy opening night performance of Grease at the Congress Theatre, Eastbourne.
The music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey have lost none of their magic, which director Nikolai Foster and choreographer Arlene Phillips recapture in dazzling routines – including one involving a moving car.
But this talented pair miss a trick with You’re The One That I Want when the squeaky-clean, innocent Sandy appears in a black figure-hugging outfit to tell her cocky greaser boyfriend Danny he’d better shape up.
In the iconic 1978 film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, the sight of Sandy looking so sexy caused Danny’s three mates’ jaws to drop open and him to look equally shocked. But in this stage version I saw little reaction from the guys.
India Chadwick, standing in for the indisposed Hope Dawe as Sandy, and Marley Fenton, as Danny, provide excellent vocal renditions of several demanding songs, and excellent stage presence. But they could have shown greater chemistry in projecting what becomes a passionate teenage romance.
Danny, having enjoyed a summer fling with Sandy, is surprised when she turns up at Rydell High School where he is top dog, and initially feels she will cramp his style.
There’s a lot more going on at Rydell High where the boys are all testosterone and bravado in their efforts to impress the girls.
Rebecca Stenhouse plays a big part in creating the right atmosphere with her portrayal of the no-nonsense Rizzo, and her delivery of There Are Worse Things I Could Do is outstanding.
I also loved Joe Gash’s performances as both smooth-talking DJ Vince Fontaine and Teen Angel.
George Michaelides (Kenickie), Alicia Belgarde (Frenchy), Phoebe Roberts (Patty Simcox) and Lewis Day (Roger) show the trials and tribulations of teenage life. Understudies Lauren Kate Hampton (Marty) and Sergi Ibanez (Doddy), together with Sario Solomon (Sonny) and an endearing Emerald B (Jan) add further convincing characterisation. This – plus several humorous exchanges – helps to flesh out a rather thin plot (not unusual in many musicals).
The energy and passion of the rest of a young cast makes for an uplighting, entertaining evening full of nostalgia.
This production of Grease also benefits greatly from orchestrations and musical supervision by Tony winner Sarah Travis, Colin Richmond’s sets, Ben Cracknell’s lighting and Tom Marshall and Richard Brooker’s sound design plus video and projection design by Douglas O’Connell, and casting by David Grindrod.
My only disappointment about Monday’s opening night was that the programmes didn’t arrive which made reviewing the show more difficult for me as I couldn’t check who sang which song! But it was still a most enjoyable experience.
Grease is produced by Colin Ingram for InTheatre Productions, Frankel/Viertel/Baruch/Routh Group, Playing Field, and Curve.
The original Grease opened in Chicago in 1971 and subsequently on Broadway in February 1972, when it received seven Tony nominations, including one for Best Musical.
Pictures by Marc Brenner
