MusicalNorth WestReview

Grease, The Musical – Empire Theatre, Liverpool

Reviewer: Abbie Rippon

Book, Music and lyrics: Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey

Director: Nikolai Foster

Unless you have spent your life on another planet for the past 50 years, you will definitely know a little something about Grease the Musical. You’ve probably seen the 1978 film Grease or the stage musical already, possibly been in your school production of the show, or at the very least boogied along to the Grease Megamix at a family wedding or holiday disco.

Many audience members will be drawn to the show having been fans of the film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. Whereas the movie focuses on the story of Danny and Sandy’s relationship, the musical gives a broader glimpse at the teenagers of Rydell High as they navigate their way through the challenges of moving from adolescence to adulthood in their senior year of high school. When written in the 1970s, Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey set the musical in the 1950s, when teenagers were the first generation to have the freedom that we automatically associate with being a ‘teenager’. The first generation that did not remember the Second World War, to avoid military conscription, released from the burdens their parents and grandparents endured, the ‘Grease’ generation defined the term ‘teenager’.

The best thing about this production is the cast. It is so refreshing to watch a production where the casting director trusts a young, talented cast to deliver a great performance, without the need to bring in a celebrity to sell tickets. The cast, many recent drama school graduates, inject the teenage energy into the production that the show needs.

Marley Fenton as Danny Zuko is an absolute triumph, he’s got the voice, the moves and plays the teenage vulnerability of Danny as he faces the teenage challenges about figuring out who he wants to be. Frenchy (Alicia Belgrade) is cute as a button, Kieran Lynch’s Doody is adorably young and cheeky . George Michaelides’ Kenickie might be a little too cool and exaggerated with his italian drawl, but it’s all fun, energetic and very typically teenage. Hope Dawe does a fantastic job of Sandy’s iconic Hopelessly Devoted to You, this girl can sing! The entire cast put on a great performance and the understudies and swings who stepped in for press night at Liverpool shone brightly on the Empire’s stage.

As with many modern productions, it seems to be the fashion for singers to improvise way beyond the needs of the libretto, and in this production it led to the occasional pitchy moment. Sometimes it’s wiser to let the melody show off your voice, and the songs in Grease are catchy and 50s in style, Charlie Ingles as Musical Director should be pushing for the vocals to match the simple but effective style of the libretto.

The look of the production is fresh and new, and Colin Richmond’s multi-functional set has been used in combination with Arlene Phillips’ choreography to create some clever and eye-catching staging; but at times felt over busy and a little chaotic. The creative use of the multi-use staircases to create bleachers, basement stairs and a plethora of other settings really worked, but the rest of the set could be stripped back. Often there is just too much going on for an audience to really enjoy the stage picture.

There could also be more choreography to show off the talented cast. The re-worked choreography for Greased Lighting is a masterpiece – a risk that paid off, and Shakin’ at the High School Hop and other large ensemble numbers have really refreshing choreography that showcases the cast. But there are a few lost opportunities to add more of Phillips’ choreography and exhibit the skills of the ensemble.

Grease the Musical is a legend in itself, everyone feels they know it. So it’s surprising when sitting in the auditorium to realise that the narrative really doesn’t go anywhere. Teenage boys and girls meet, make friendships and relationships, fall out, get back together. It doesn’t have any dynamic plot twists, cliff hangers, so it’s hard for the audience to get attached to the characters. With the musical focussing less on the escapades of Sandy and Danny (as the film does) and more on the range of characters, it is a nice opportunity to showcase a wider range of talent, however without this more intense focus, it’s not a particularly emotionally drawing narrative.

Overall, it’s the cast that really makes this production. They are talented, young and professional and a testament to hiring talent over celebrity. The creative team have done a decent job re-vitalising Grease the Musical, but some elements feel a bit too much or not enough. The narrative remains a little thin, but the music continues to be catchy. You’ll still be singing the songs on the way home from the theatre.

Runs until 1 June 2024, then touring.

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The Cast Makes The Show!

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The North West team is under the editorship of John McRoberts. The Reviews Hub was set up in 2007. Our mission is to provide the most in-depth, nationwide arts coverage online.

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