“Why, it’s grease lightning!”

The smash-hit musical of screen and stage is back on tour and has arrived at the Wales Millennium Centre!

I was lucky enough to be invited to come and review this show and I was very excited! Grease, as it is for so many others, is one of my favourite films so I couldn’t wait to see it translated onto stage. 

We all know the story of Sandy and Danny, who met at the beach and had a whirlwind romance over the summer. When summer ended they thought they’d never see each other again, but a twist of fate reunited them at Rydell High. But can Sandy and Danny overcome their differences and the social pressures of teenage life, and find their way back together once again? This treasured classic has been given a fresh take, making some interesting changes to the original story and plot structure. Changes that will definitely keep you on your toes. 

This is one of the most high energy performances I’ve seen in a long time. The iconic, big cast numbers, such as ‘Grease Lightning’,  ‘Summer Nights’, ‘Born to Hand Jive’, and ‘We Go Together’, were very impressive to watch. Hats off to choreographer, Dame Arlene Phillips, for putting together some fantastic numbers!

Marley Fenton and Hope Dawe take on the roles of the lovable Danny Zuko and Sandy Dumbrowski and gave us their versions of the characters. I have to say, Hope Dawe really showed off the power of her voice in her rendition of ‘Hopelessly Devoted To You. Chills!

Rebecca Stenhouse as Rizzo was utterly amazing! Adopting the iconic voice and mannerisms of this quick-witted, gritty Pink Lady, while also giving the character a new life with Rebecca’s fresh take. And her rendition of ‘There Are Worse Things I Could Do’, left me with goosebumps. Incredible! Playing alongside her is Ben Nicholas as Kenickie, who’s performance of ‘Grease Lightning’ was a marvel. 

The rest of their cast wowed the audience with their performance. Kieran Lynch as Doody, Lewis Day as Roger, Dario Solomon as Sonny, Alicia Belgarde as Frenchy, Emerald B as Jan, India Chadwick as Marty, Jay’d Tyrone as Eugene, Phoebe Roberts as Patty Simcox, Dominique Planter as Miss Lynch, Joe Gash as Vince Fontaine (and Teen Angel), Deena Kapadia as Cha Cha, Adam Davidson as Johnny Casino, along with Serge Ibanez, Ben Middleton, Imogen Malone, Zero Aitken, Carly Miles, Lauren Hampton, Thomas Inge and Dylan Gordon-Jones. 

Visually, this show is spectacular. Everything from the vibrant costumes to the elaborate set, pulled you into the world of Rydell High and made it just that much better to watch.

All the magic of the original film with the excitement of this fresh new take that this cast brings to the stage. This is a show that’s not to be missed! Grease the Musical will be at the Wales Millennium Centre until the 7th September, so if you haven’t got your tickets yet I wouldn’t hang around because they are selling out fast!

You can find out more about what’s going on at the Wales Millennium Centre on their website, Facebook and Instagram.

And don’t forget to check out Grease The Musical’s official website, Facebook and Instagram. 

All photo credits to Marc Brenner