Book, Music and Lyrics: Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey
Director: Nikolai Foster
At the culmination of its UK tour,Grease the Musicalarrives at Sheffield’s Lyceum Theatre. This production, which originally started at Leicester Curve and has since enjoyed multiple UK tours and a West End run, takes the show back to its slightly grittier origins whilst still giving audiences the feel good, fun musical numbers they’ve come to expect.
Nikolai Foster directs this production, telling the story of high school sweethearts Danny and Sandy and the rocky starts to their relationship, as well as the stories of those in their friendship groups and wider high school environment. Foster keeps the show moving but at times it moves almost too quickly – some of the spoken scenes feel like they’re raced through at unnaturalistic breakneck speed. Colin Richmond’s set design also helps the show move fluidly with lots of physical set pieces creating many different locations.
Arlene Phillips’ choreography is the true star of this production. It is lively and energetic, fills every inch of the stage and is just joyous to watch. The whole cast execute Phillips’ routines perfectly, with Sario Solomon (Sonny) and Emerald B (Jan) particularly shining as wonderfully expressive movers and dancers.
Marley Fenton takes on the iconic role of Danny Zuko. He has a lovely singing voice but it’s not necessarily the most charismatic performance of Danny ever seen. The Burger Palace Boys scenes are often stolen by Ben Nicholas’ Kenickie. Nicholas delivers rich vocals and his Kenickie is more aggressive than your reviewer has seen before. This works well on the whole but more moments of light amongst his friendships and romance could have been found.
Hope Dawe is lovely as Sandy Dumbrowski, with beautiful vocals throughout. She has a fantastic stage presence, giving her Sandy strength as an individual. Rebecca Stenhouse belts up a storm as Rizzo whilst India Chadwick brings a maturity to her Marty which really works for the character.
Some fabulous supporting performances are witnessed throughout this production. Dominique Planter makes the most of every scene she has as Miss Lynch. Her few tenders moments with students are lovely and it’s a shame she doesn’t get more of these. Joe Gash is outstanding in his various roles – he’s wonderfully camp as Teen Angel, marvellously over the top and charismatic as Vince Fontaine and he brings his rock vocals to his songs, providing a fresh edge to them.
Grease the Musicalis always a fun time, with hit songs such as Summer Nights, We Go Together and You’re The One That I Want all included. In its final week of tour, get your tickets before its too late!
Runs until 16th November 2024.
The Reviews Hub Score
Feel good fun
