Iconic 1950s musical action...
A rip-roaring, heartfelt and often hilarious take on a timeless classic- Grease’s blend of energy, choreography, music and comedy go together like ramma-lamma-lamma-ka-dingity-dinga-dong. Set against the vibrant and punchy backdrop of the 1950’s, we are treated to a rollercoaster of a story filled with romance, heartbreak and rivalries.
Each and every member of the cast truly is a triple threat, with phenomenal singing, dancing and acting on full display throughout the whole performance. While our leads absolutely nail their parts, particular mentions should be given to the other members of the Pink Ladies (Alicia Belgarde, Emerald B, India Chadwick) and the Burger Palace Boys- formerly known as the T-Birds (Kieran Lynch, Lewis Day, Sario Solomon).
Characters who in previous renditions can quite easily fade into the background are injected with zany personalities, given ample moments to shine in comedic and often heart wrenchingly emotional scenes which complement and contrast each other nicely and give the characters much more depth than was offered in previous iterations. Radio Host and Teen Guardian Angel Joe Gash also does a fantastic job of moving the plot along via his fast-paced radio show and sleazy demeanour.
Grease wouldn’t be Grease without the classic choreography and musical numbers which were a staple of the period, and last night’s show did not disappoint. From ‘Grease is the Word’ all the way to the final Megamix you’ll be tapping your toes, humming along and be blown away by the speed and frenetic dancing that’s on display.
Special shout out to this production’s version of ‘Beauty School Dropout’- the whole cast come together to make it an unforgettable performance. Songs are also added alongside the classics we all know, to flesh out the characters and help tie scenes together for an improved flow. Marty’s (India Chadwick) ballad about her long distance love is incredibly powerful, and ‘Those Magic Changes’ shows us a much more tender side to the main cast than their usual boisterous, testosterone-fuelled exterior might suggest.
Often remembered as a family favourite, Nikolai Foster’s production breathes new life and new energy into one of the most iconic musicals of our time. This is the one that you’ll want to watch for sure!
Grease The Musical plays at Nottingham's Theatre Royal until Saturday 31 August 2024.
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