Norwich Theatre Royal – until Saturday 8th June 2024
Reviewed by Boo Wakefield
4****
A performance that brought alive the childhoods of Generation X, this production of ‘Grease’ was a true delight to watch; energetic, sexy and fun. From extraordinary vocals to incredible costumes and dynamic set pieces, this performance made the audience want to join the student body of Rydell High School and don their own ‘Pink Ladies’ jackets. The entertaining character presented by Joe Gash was the audiences guide, taking us through the innocent (yet demanding) relationship of Danny Zuko (Marley Fenton) and Sandy Dumbrowski (Hope Dawe) and the raucous ups and downs of High School life. From fights between lovers and friends, to the need to prove oneself to those around them, Joe Gash’s energy was infectious and kept the audience involved throughout.
Credit is owed to those involved in the choreography of this performance alongside Dame Arlene Phillips (Choreographer). Richard Roe (Associate Choreographer) and Carly Miles (Resident Choreographer) truly outdid themselves, most notably during the scene of the High School Dance. This saw high intensity dancing with impressive stunts; they managed to capture the high sex drive of the play, whilst also encompassing an innocent humour. A big commendation to Deena Kapadia (Cha Cha) and Adam Davidson (Johnny Casino) whose dancing and vocals had my eyebrows nearly touching my hairline with how impressed I was.
Another aspect that requires recognition and a standing ovation are the vocals. Hope Dawe drew all of us into Sandy’s heartbreak during ‘Hopelessly Devoted to You’, singing the viral hit with just as much fervour as Olivia Newton-John in 1978. Imogen Malone (Jan) and Lewis Day (Roger) had the audience giggling with childish delight during the number ‘Mooning’, with Day taking the audience by surprise with an astoundingly stable high note. However, the lady who stole the whole show with her incredible vocals was Rebecca Stenhouse playing the role of Rizzo. A difficult pair of shoes to fill, Stenhouse encompassed the standout maturity and sexuality of Rizzo’s character and the unique emotions suffered by a young teen who thinks she may be pregnant, all through the power of her unique vocals and acting.
The dynamic set matched the tempo brilliantly with slick changes to the elevated retractable platform set within the backdrop of the stage, mobile staircases and even a full sized “Grease Lightning” car that the cast was able to dance on during the ‘Greased Lightning’ number. The incredible costumes solidified this image of the late 50’s through Converse high-tops and leather jackets. The most notable costumes and set had the audience taken to another world during the iconic number ‘Beauty School Dropout’. The entire cast wore huge pink wigs and pink leather tops, combined with wings to make them into ‘Teen Angels’. Casting the entire theatre with a pink hue, this scene was a credit to the variety and imagination of the costume and set designers behind this production.
All-in-all this performance of ‘Grease’ was full of smiles, laughter and nostalgia and was a credit to the iconic classic that played a role in many of the audiences’ childhoods.