* GREASE THE MUSICAL RETURNS TO LEEDS GRAND THEATRE
* PETER ANDRE STARS AS TEEN ANGEL AND VINCE FONTAINE AT CERTAIN PERFORMANCES
Any Grease fans in the family? Here’s our #review…
An ensemble of genius based on the original… Grease The Musical is back at Leeds Grand Theatre, grittier and more glamourous than ever before.
Whilst there are stars and leads featured in the show… there is no one ‘stand out’ because the whole team from the live band to the Burger Van Boys are sensational. An all singing and dancing troupe with clever interludes of musical beats meeting lighting changes. Choreographed by the awesome @arlenephillips and directed to perfection by @nikolaifostertheatre.
Let’s go Grease Lightening @grandtheatrels1
Strong company start ‘Grease is the word’
Despite audio/ technical issues at the start, the show erupted with familiar songs and truly unusual ones I had not heard before.
Did you know Grease was originally a stage show then a film?
This show is more true to the original and a welcomed refresh of a show and film I have almost watched on an annual basis.
Premise: After a whirlwind summer romance, leather-clad greaser Danny and girl-next-door Sandy are unexpectedly reunited when she transfers to Rydell High for senior year. But can they survive the trials and tribulations of teenage life and find true love once more?
This thrilling new version is brought to life by a fresh young cast who bring energy, vitality, and passion to the world’s best-loved musical. So round-up your Burger Palace Boys, pick up your Pink Ladies, and re-discover why Grease The Musical really is the one that you want this term!
The Cast is a family
The Burger Palace Boys from the original stage show are a laid-back boyish ‘gang’ who manage to switch between scenes with the same chilled-out teen swagger they embody brilliantly.
From the styled Pink Ladies to the headteacher, this cast is hilariously comical at times whilst touching.
The cast represent an inclusive variety of body types which is a refreshing change, depicting reality closer to other shows I’ve seen.
Normally, the show stars special guest artist Peter Andre* as Teen Angel and Vince Fontaine – who’s stand-in makes for the perfect DJ and is no ‘second best.’
Get ready to reignite your passion for an explosion of summer loving.
Directed by Nikolai Foster and choreographed by Arlene Phillips, feel-good classic Grease The Musical features hit after hit, including Summer Nights, Greased Lightnin’, Hopelessly Devoted to You and You’re the One That I Want, among many others.
The Music
My instrument-playing friend Cat accompanied me to the review and was the last one standing as she appreciated the talented live music on offer.
Here’s what she had to say in sound bites:
‘Greased Lighting’ was EPIC – instrumental breaks for incredible choreography.
Wish the new ‘Tattoo Song’ was longer!
The ‘Mooning’ track was *hilarious*.
‘We Go Together’ is a perfect feel-good close to Act One with a clever intro.
Band! Horn section is awesome. Trumpet screamer end of Summer Nights. The base kicks in opening numbers of act two.
Stabs in Danny’s solo ‘How Big I’m Gonna Be’ including lights, musicality & timing.
Hand Jive! Yay!
This version is more about the company, not just Danny & Sandy.
Lovely musical segue into ‘Hopelessly Devoted To You’.
‘You’re The One That I Want’ / ‘We Go Together’ was a fab ending.
A Megamix with audience participation! Hurrah!
Superb choreography, which was stylised to the era.
From hand jiving fun to romantic slow duets… this is the perfect metaphor for our Christmas this year – fondly familiar yet starkly different.
Grease The Musical is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Mon 29 November to Sat 4 December 2021
Book online at leedsheritagetheatres.com or call Box Office on 0113 243 0808
