Summer loving is a blast for Sandy and Danny but when she transfers to his high school the flames kindled on the beach have drastically cooled when he has to keep up the bad boy image he had dropped for her. She is not impressed, writes Michael Holland.
This production of Grease The Musical has been touring the UK for over two years now and culminates in a well-deserved West End run. It is a show that has been a multi-generational favourite for over five decades, its worldwide hits known and sung by millions. In the audience were totally devoted fans, dressed up as the Pink Ladies or the Burger Palace Boys, just stopping short of dancing in the aisles.
It is an old story of boy meets girl but this time not framed in any rose-tinted tweeness. There are unwanted pregnancies amongst the group, gang fights, underage drinking, and trouble with the police; it is a story for our time even though Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey wrote it over 50 years ago.
And a tale like this will always stand up because everyone can relate to it. Add in memorable chart-topping songs, iconic choreography from Arlene Phillips, and an energetic ensemble cast, you have all the ingredients for magic to happen.
Grease The Musical always needs a big name and this time it is Peter Andre providing an excellent turn as fast-talking DJ Vince Fontaine, where he gets to give a side-show masterclass in how to be a role model for young people starting in musical theatre, as well as covering the role of Teen Angel. He relished the opportunity to do his stuff in this show, and he did not disappoint.
Are there weaknesses in the plot line? Who cares? This is a great piece of entertainment from start to finish, with an excellent band rocking it up in the pit, and a great cast who very much look like they might bunk off school, get drunk, and get pregnant when they should be in high school. And we all stood to clap and sing along for the finale to show our appreciation.
It is unfair to choose a favourite for such a team effort, but I was very impressed with Jocasta Almgill’s Rizzo. She had the voice and moves to back up the sass required for that character. Overall, Grease The Musical is a great show that has to be seen at least once, and we all stood to clap and sing along for the finale to show our appreciation for that.
Leaving the theatre in a haze of young love and pop music, we stepped out and it was raining, which immediately brought us back to the real world of catching the train home. But, ohhh, those summer nights lingered on the mind.
Dominion Theatre, 268-269 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7AQ until October 29th. Times: Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm, Thursday & Saturday matinees at 2.30pm. Tickets from: £15 – £125.
Box Office: 0345 200 7982 – www.greasemusical.co.uk