|
|
|
|
|
What's in a word, Grease?
Grease Wolverhampton Grand **** WHEN Jim Jacobs
and Warren Casey set out in 1970 to write a musical about Chicago school
life called Grease, their
vision created a dramatic, raunchy, raw, aggressive and reportedly
vulgar show. Whilst their bank managers to date probably have
no concern, as it is now one of the most globally recognised and
successful musicals of the last 40 years, the current form of this
production is more of a Las Vegas parody of the era and their original
vision. The teen themes have been tamed and rounded over
time and now the glitter and ` wow factor ‘ have been poured on to such
a degree that the simple story of working class teens in the 50s seems
irrelevant and at times unrecognisable under all the glare of the neon. Set in the 1950s the story focuses on the Rydell
High School and the arrival of the prudish school girl Sandy and her
relationship with her new friends and the cool leather clad `Greaser'
Danny. The creative team of Director , David Gilmore and
Choreographer, Arlene Phillips have run wild with their spectacular
pyrotechnic and highly choreographed production so much so that
someone forgot to remind them there is a drama going on and the songs
should support that not the other way around.
David Gilmore actually states that `Grease
doesn't have a message ‘ and to be honest if Jacobs and Casey ever had
one in 1971 then you surly won't find it here anymore. Instead what we
have is each big number trying to outdo the one before and the story of
young love, paling into cartoon links to just adequately get us to the
next song and dance routine. It is though visually stunning and Phillips's
passion for precision in the dancing is evident so as a light show of
energy and entertainment alone you won't be disappointed. However with all the fireworks and lighting you
never get close to or actually feel anything for any of the characters.
Danny is played by Danny Bayne winner of ITV's
talent quest `Grease is the word' and whilst he is pretty enough he was
missing the dumb innocence and awkwardness that Travolta's screen
version defined. Carina Gillespie plays Sandy and has great voice but as
a pairing they lacked any convincing romantic chemistry. One of the best performance and scenes came from
Stuart Reid as the Teen Angel singing `Beauty School Dropout.' His voice
was more than capable having a high degree of 50s falsetto originality
to it and costume wise it is one of the highlights of the show. Kate Somerset How, made a feisty Rizzo but once
again the dramatic content was abandoned from one of the best emotional
songs from Grease ` There are worse things I could do ‘ which
ended up being delivered centre stage like an X Factor audition. There is no doubt that the polish and
professionalism within this production will keep you enthralled and that
was evident to the sell-out audience who had braved the rain to attend. It didn't seem to matter to them that the once
gritty reality and issues of potential teen pregnancies, bullying, and
social exclusion, and that of being a `Greaser ‘in a 50s street gang
were now well oiled and smoothed over in this `slick' production. Grease might have been the word but now it's an
overpowering attack on the senses with some chart topping songs and
great dance routines that are performed by a very capable cast. To
01-12-12. Jeff Grant And feet tapping quietly at the back . . . **** IT'S back with a bang in the Black Country,
and top musical Grease is as slick as ever! Fans poured into the Grand on opening night,
some in Pink Lady jackets, and they were rewarded with a top class
performance from a terrific young cast. The smash hit film starring John Travolta and
Olivia Newton-John led to the show developing a cult following, and the
stage version is a rock 'n' roll riot of thrilling music and great
dancing. Set in 1959 at the fictional Rydell High School,
the story follows the activities of a group of students with love very
much on the curriculum, and the focus on 'bad boy' Danny Zuko and the
shy girl-next-door, Sandy Dumbrowski. Danny Bayne excels as the leather-jacketed Zuko
and Carina Gillespie is the ideal Sandy, with outstanding support
from Ross William Wild (Kenickie), Kate Somerset How (Rizzo) and Stuart
Reid (Vince Fontaine and Teen Angel). And how the audience love the superbly delivered
songs, You're the One that I Want, Grease is the Word, Beauty School
Dropout, Greased Lightnin' and Hopelessly Devoted. To 01.12.12 Paul Marston
|
|
|
|
