Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey
InTheatre Productions
Palace Theatre, Manchester
8-19 October, 2024; 2hr 30min
(also Sheffield Lyceum, November 12-16)
It seems that once again Grease is (sorry) the one that we want, even after decades on stage and screen.
The musical started life in theatre in Chicago in 1971 and was set in the late 1950s, about a group of teenagers at the fictional Rydell High School. It was raw and raunchy and massively successful.
For many of us, however, it is the somewhat sanitised 1978 film, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, that has a place in our heart. In its day it was a box office phenomenon, a magnet for award nominations and its music topped the charts for weeks.
Basically, it tells the story of the holiday romance of Danny and Sandy who, finding they are now attending the same high school, realise they have less in common than they thought. He is a member of a greaser gang, she is "square", miss goody two shoes. How can they reconcile their differences and find true love?
There have been numerous revivals and versions - including for schools. The production currently at Manchester's Palace Theatre is a bit of a pick and mix.
The boys' T-Birds are now the Burger Palace Boys, as in the original production, and grittier too. Cheerleader Patty gets a much bigger role as Sandy's potential rival, and there are a number of songs that weren't in the film. Sandy's conversion to become a very sexy member of the Pink Ladies to please her man is much watered down compared to the screen version (probably not so palatable these days). Not a spoiler: everyone knows what happens!! Does any of this matter? Not to the audience, the reason being that this is still a great feelgood and fun night out.
Yes, there are a few weaknesses. There are times when it is difficult to understand the American accents. Danny and Sandy (Marley Fenton and Hope Dawe), whilst still vocally strong (as are all the cast), don't have the magic between them that makes us feel they are teenagers in love.
On the plus side, a special mention for Ben Nicholas who, as Kenickie, has a powerful presence, sometimes dark, sometimes sexy, which Betty Rizzo (played by Rebecca Stenhouse) can't resist.
The direction by Nikolai Foster is sound, the choreography by Arlene Phillips is exciting and let's not forget the set design which, with its radio dial (do you remember those?) captures the dj and more.
The solo songs are well done, but it is the ensemble pieces that get your feet tapping. The mega mix at the end of the show is what everyone has been waiting for.
More info and tickets here
