Sometimes when a reviewer goes to see a show, no matter what the content, the audience will so completely overwhelm the performance that there is very little one can say in review.
Such is the case with “Grease” which continues a national tour at The Palace. The audience are so loyal to the show, they will it along every moment of the performance. I have to say that I would have preferred to hear the paid cast singing some of the songs rather than the “Levenshulme Ladies Choir” across the aisle from me, but hey, we know the tunes anyway.
Despite a book as thin as a cigarette paper, Director Nikolai Foster drives the show along like greased lightening and genuinely lights up the stage with the musical numbers. To add to the “A” list production team the choreography by Arlene Phillips is mesmeric and delivered with verve and style.
Performances by the whole cast are uniformly competent. Marley Fenton is suitably hip and renders his songs with feeling and poise. Sandy played by Hope Dawe was suitably demure and the owner of a great singing voice. Both great performers as individuals, but I just didn’t get any chemistry between them except in the musical numbers. One minute they are reminiscing over their brief summer romance, then rejecting each other for the school dance. Danny dates other girls, but of course we know Sandy is the one that he wants, and he makes a big deal out of suddenly giving up his place on the athletics team to get her. I didn’t get why! My guess is so they had a reason to sing “You’re the one that I want”, but then they are a pair of 1950’s love puppies. That lack of explanation is of course a fault of the book, but a production of this calibre should remedy these failings with suitable direction. Not that it mattered to the capacity audience on Wednesday night.
A great live band under the leadership of Charlie Ingles deliver the songs we know and love, some with great new arrangements by Sarah Travis.
Lighting and sound design is spot on for the 50’s period, bight and garish and the composite set worked well with the changes brilliantly staged. The costumes were authentic without being too glittery and showbizzie. Colin Richmond is credited with both set and costume design – bravo!
“Grease” is at the Palace Theatre Manchester until 19th October then visits High Wycombe, Southampton, Southend and Sheffield. www.greasemusical.co.uk
Reviewer: Phil Edwards
Reviewed: 9th October 2024
North West End UK Rating: