Grease

Report

Author: Roger D. Buist

The cast exploded on to the stage at the show’s opening singing “Grease Is the Word” in a brilliant hip-hop dance routine filled with choreographic ingenuity which continued throughout the show. Everyone knows this show, filled with great song numbers, about Rydell High’s first day of the new school year. We met Danny, leader of the T-Birds, brilliantly played by Kieran Bole at his swaggering best in the John Travolta role and totally at ease with his character, always “combing” his quiff , and uttering “uh-hu” when required! The object of his dreams was Sandy (Niamh Anderson), coming across as a bright-eyed, innocent-looking, young lady, giving us a wonderful rendition of “Hopelessly Devoted To You”. She makes friends with the Pink Ladies – wonderfully brought to the stage by Connie Uribe as the sassy Rizzo (singing a strong “There Are Worse Things I Can Do”); Leia Reilly’s aspiring beautician, the brassy Frenchy; Marty (Chloe McSherry), experienced in adult vices; and Lauren Anderson as the romantically frustrated Jan, who all enjoyed singing their “Freddy, My Love” song. Then there were Danny’s mates – the T-Birds – and a motley bunch they were all, too! There was Mark Curran tossing pop corn in the air and catching it in this mouth as Doody, Louis Browne as Roger, the “mooning” and, literally, revealing his rear (to great delight with the audience!), Robbie Lamond as the group’s tough guy, Kennickie and, finally making up the group was Ryan Easley as womaniser Sonny. All were superb in their parts and all enjoyed themselves in the “Greased Lightnin’,” number which was a real show stopper. Among the many talented supporting characters was Thomas Richmond’s brilliant Teen Angel; Keigan Hill’s “boring” Eugene; Anna Davidson as the effervescent cheer leader Patti; Stuart Young’s, sleazy disc jockey Vince Fontaine; Cara Gordon; the provocative Cha-Cha; and teacher Miss Lynch (Jude Vandecasteele). The entire show was full of youthful exuberance, energy, and zest, and the company really enjoyed themselves performing “Summer Nights”, We Go Together”, and, of course, “You’re The One that I Want! Finale time found the packed theatre jumping at the seams with excited support from the audience singing along to the well known musical numbers, Yep, Grease is the word!