Grease is the word. The famous love story of the teenage romance of Sandy and Danny, returns to the Glasgow as part of a new national tour, proving that the well loved tale is still the one that everyone wants.
The smash hit movie starring Olivia Newton John and John Travolta as the young lovebirds has been a cult classic ingrained in popular culture since its release in 1978.
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However it’s a lesser known fact that the film is actually an adaptation of the original 1971 script- a bolder, grittier production where the T Birds are The Burger Palace Boys and Danny is more James Dean than John Travolta.
Director Nikolai Foster explains returning Grease to its roots “Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey originally wrote Grease as a play that detailed their own lives growing up as working-class kids on the South Side of Chicago in the 1950s.
“It’s a very different proposition from the beautiful bubblegum bounce of the Hollywood film. We are going to the original source material and serving it well, with imagination and integrity.”
After a summer romance, Danny (Dan Partridge) and Sandy (Martha Kirby) part ways as they return to their separate schools miles apart. However as they are unexpectedly reunited when Sandy transfers to Rydell High, Danny is torn between his feelings for Sandy and his desire to protect his bad boy reputation. As they face the trials and tribulations of the final year at school full of heartbreaks, teenage dramas and peer pressure – will they finally get their happy ever after?
For Grease fanatics, the soundtrack still features all the timeless classics such as Grease Lightening, Summer Nights, You’re The One That I Want and Beauty School Dropout.
However there are some differences from the popular film version. The drag car race is notably left and some additional tracks feature including The Tattoo Song and How Big I’m Gonna Be which brings a fresh feel to the show.
There is much more character development from the Pink Ladies and The Burger Palace Boys with solo songs and individual story lines which compliments the central love story.
Kirby shone on stage as the innocent and beautiful Sandy. She also brought an edge of independence and confidence as Sandy stands up to those who mock her.
Her strong yet emotional vocal on Hopelessly Devoted To you was flawless. Partridge swaggered on stage as the stereotypical charismatic bad boy with plenty of arrogance and bluster mixed with insecurity and uncertainty.
Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky played the sassy yet secretly vulnerable Rizzo with her show stopping vocal on There Are Worst Things I Could Do receiving rapturous applause.
A special guest appearance of Ore Oduba (Strictly Come Dancing and presenter on The One Show) as Teen Angel delivered a comedy performance which entertained the audience.
With dance veteran Arlene Phillips (former Strictly judge and choreographer) on board, it’s no surprise that the beautiful choreography burst on stage from the opening track with high energy, impressive jive style routines in a nod to the iconic era.
The bold and dynamic staging of the famous “hand jive” dance contest was one of the highlights of the show.
Whether you are a die hard Grease fan or a newbie to the going’s on not if Rydell High this show stopping production is not to be missed. Tickets on sale until Saturday.