This show just ‘gels’ as only ‘Grease’ can do! It’s electrifying!
Manor Operatic Society hit the Sheffield City Hall with the musical ‘Grease’ to packed audiences and with all the frenzy the original 1978 film created. With an audience full of Pink Ladies and T Birds, I anticipated a night of raucous sing-a-long, but on the whole the audience were too invested by the performances they were witnessing to join in, until invited to on the Grease Mega Mix. Only then were the whole audience on its feet raising the roof and loving every moment.
Directed by Richard Bradford and his partner Linda Kelly who also choreographs the production with help from their daughter Evie May Bradford as dance Captain – it really is a family affair! Musical Direction from Andrew Collis completes the team and the musicians sounded great on opening night as the audience tapped their feet to the familiar beat.
As the band struck up, the oh, so familiar songs soared and so did my expectations as I realised we weren’t in for the copied version of the film, the energy from the cast was crackling from the very start, with a full stage (which takes some doing at the City Hall), the essence was a lifetime away from the sickly sweet images that stick in our memory from the film.
This version restores the 1959 action away from California and to its roots in Midwest America, Sandy Dumbrowski no longer Australian but an American with a much more confident exterior and a voice to match, played by Emily Mae Hoyland, this young performer stole the show with her professional, controlled performance. Dylan Lambert’s Danny Zuko brought the sensitivity to the role that is so often missed. Their harmonies produced a lovely blend but their off script chemistry was a little amiss at times The storyline whilst including all the big film favourites also has some changes like the ‘Mooning’ song which is now a rip roaring and much improved duet by Sam Clarkson as Roger and Emily McGeoch as Jan. It was this duet that stole the show for me, Clarkson is a real ‘Hoot’ in this role and the audience get more than one full moon (he maybe needs to tighten his belt a little!) Rizzo’s (Katie Ann Dooling) ‘There are worse things I could do’ was emotively performed and is now acidically aimed at Sandy rather than Kenickie, this really worked with the grittier interpretation of the issues in Rydell High School of love, betrayal, angst, bullying and sex. Likewise Pink Ladies, Marty and Frenchie enrich the teenage emotional rollercoaster with vigour. Hannah Lancashire plays a convincing Marty and her ‘Freddy My Love’ was beautifully executed both vocally and by the other Pink Ladies. Mentions must go to the Teen Angels – Simon Hance, Leo Appleton, George Henderson and Declan Saxton for their stunning vocals, I really enjoyed this directorial choice to have the male 50’s group rather than the solo performer and Sophie Platts reactions in this scene where subtly pleasing.
There are several things that really impressed me about this production, none more than the exploration of the secondary characters who have a much more detailed character portrayal in the show. Praise must lay with the creative direction by the production team in addition to impressively executed performances from Doody (Chris Hanlon), Sonny (Stuart Daniel Box) and Jon Warburton as Kenicke who bring the roles to life and take the storyline in new directions rather than relying on the love story of Sandy and Danny. Secondly, the sheer exuberance of the whole cast, they just ‘gel’ as only Grease can do!
This rocking production of Grease is one not to be missed, filled with nostalgia, innocence and relevance with a strong collective performance by an energetic cast. With high energy from the very opening scene the audience are transported to the early days of Rock and Roll and a time when teenage angst became a ‘thing’ and the youth started to make a statement. I left the theatre with a big smile and plenty of things to think about… just how I like it. Grease is at the Sheffield City Hall until 13th May 2023…. Grease is definitely the word about town!
Grease runs until Saturday 13th May – SOLD OUT. Check daily for returns.
Reviewer: Tracey Bell
Reviewed: 10th May 2023
North West End UK Rating: