Previous Productions - Grease

This season, the group has chosen a very popular show which appeals strongly to young players and audiences. In consequence it is a show that probably looked pretty easy to a group that has successfully performed much more demanding shows but, in fact, it is one that poses a variety of difficulties: the principle roles include several ‘ballads’ requiring a much more lyrical approach than the production numbers. These songs ask for a broad vocal range. Leading players must create well-defined, fully sustained characters which stand out amongst the general cast. The show makes extensive demands upon the choreographer who must be well acquainted with the rapidly changing popular dances of the period. A show about young people is expected to be fast, full of vitality and amusement.

Because of the breadth and height of the Redgrave stage, it had been possible to design background scenery in one unit. Both sides of this monumental structure were available because it was built on runners but care in manipulation was particularly necessary. Only an adventurous designer like Les Mountford would have dared to risk so large a piece of scenery that moved around and would have flattened anyone it fell upon! The ‘school building’ side made a stronger statement than the flexible side. Some suggested locations worked better than others. But thoughtful grouping was able to create necessary cosiness in girly scenes. Clear entrances and exits were available as was plenty of room for action on the forestage. A creative setting, therefore.

Set in 1959, the show focuses upon the problems and values of youth groups: love and friendships, youthful rebellion and gang violence, new experiences like driving, sexuality and competition amongst rivals - not very different from today. Several different characters are at the heart of each experience, so the focus of each scene changes frequently but the group comes together as a whole for much of the action.
Unity, coherence and good teamwork featured so strongly that the group work of the cast became the show’s most striking feature and a real mark of excellence. Some individual performances made a distinct impression, representing one or another of the problematic topics featured, but these characters rightly faded back into the whole group in production numbers. Guidance from a good director was evident.

While casting was pretty obvious, in some cases, good looks were favoured over singing and dancing skills, which is not to underestimate the difficulties. The character of Sandy, for example, was given an opening solo composed for the voice of someone with a chest voice like Ethel Merman and Danny’s opening solo was for a macho baritone taking no account of a young voice as yet, at this age, not totally under control. Vocal range for characters such as Marty and Rizzo was much kinder. I fancy that the composer was more interested in the performance of the sentiments expressed in the solos than in the singing of them: no-one objected to Rex Harrison in My Fair Lady or Richard Burton in Camelot, talking their numbers. We have all enjoyed numbers from actors who ‘can’t sing for toffee’. Generally, the best advice to every competent soloist is to make the most of the meaning – make the song come alive by delivering it in the way your character would interpret the meaning But, of course, your audience loves to hear a good song beautifully and musically sung and this applies most importantly in a romantic song which is often radiant, a song of aspiration. Here the sound a singer makes becomes part of the emotional experience, which is why casting in this show was not easy – ‘pop’ one moment and lyricism the next. While on the subject of song interpretation, it is fair to say that most songs were in tune, rhythmic and confident. The cast, with the help of a good MD tried hard and achieved success.

Dance took a prominent place in the production. The group is fortunate in having a choreographer who is familiar with 50’s dance styles. She used Elvis-style hip movement as well as jive with imaginative variety with groups large and small. Pictorially, her groups looked interesting and she made good use of props etc. Production numbers were successfully organised and responsive to changes in mood. The cast’s energy and youthful vitality was well exploited. There was an outstandingly exciting dance from Liam Brailsford ( rather than Danny) in Act II where simple steps and hand movements were elaborated with tremendous skill, control and imagination. It was, for me, the highlight of the production.

Taken as a whole, Act II was not up to the standard of Act I – as if short of rehearsal, in fact. There were moments when intensity flagged, but not when Rizzo was singing ‘There Are Worse Things’. The other striking voice came from Marty singing ‘Freddy, My Love’.

THE CAST

VINCE FONTAINE: This performer worked with concentration but he rather underplayed when he could have given us an amusingly exaggerated, satirical version of a disc jockey. He could play more broadly.

MISS LYNCH: was mostly uptight as a personality and intentionally drab in appearance. Good.
DANNY: Could play his sexy confidence more overtly but he looked well and was able to suggest the romantic side of his nature. His voice promises to become very pleasing. Lyrics were clearly communicated while needing a little more emotion.

SANDY: played and sang with modest simplicity until her final solo: ‘So You’re Spinnin’ Around’, when, at last, she let us hear her fully projected musical voice. Her demeanour was modestly sweet.

RIZZO : achieved the mature, unconventional looks that matched her role. Her big number was delivered with great confidence and absolute determination reflecting perfectly her ability to survive and to command attention, a wholly rounded characterisation.

FRENCHY: conveyed her lack of intellect and her interest in looking glamorous. A nicely thought out variation amongst the girls.

MARTY: was distinguished by the quality of her voice. She had hardly made herself obvious until that moment – but she is certainly one to watch.

JAN: needed to become a little more emphatically self-assured but she filled the role satisfactorily.

KENICKIE: because of his height and looks, he attracted attention. He made little effort to play the guy’s sexiness which was a pity because we needed to believe in his powers of seduction.

DOODY: took the stage determined to do his best. He was totally committed to the creation of his character, to his role as part of the group and as the boyfriend of a swot; an engaging young performer.

ROGER: obviously enjoyed the task. He might have invented an amusing incident or two.

SONNY: was on the lookout for a behind to pinch! He could have caused much more consternation amongst the girls.

JOHNNIE CASINO: As written earlier, this dance performance was exceptionally entertaining and highly skilled. He ought to have been a little more evident when acting the role. He only became ‘an idol’ when dancing.

OTHER ROLES: Most notable was the quality of the ensemble work, the sense of close-knit gangs of both boys and girls. The girls produced more imaginative exchanges between them and plenty of laughter. They were very ‘girly’ girls! The boys might have given a greater impression of suppressed violence and secretive plans. But all the minor roles were filled with promptness and, even better, with enthusiasm. They looked well when dancing and they delivered the songs moodily. Amongst them, there was plenty of variety and contrast.

In a show with constantly changing moods, the cast were quick to adopt and express them – certainly a clear symptom of their complete involvement and of their intention to involve their audience – which they did!

Thank you for your most helpful and kind hospitality and my appreciation of the help given when I mislaid my keys. I was so sorry to be a pain in the neck.

June Rayner

Once again David Cain has gathered together a good working team in Alex, Jaleelah, Phil, Marilyn and Sarah. All complimented by a talented cast who attacked the show with so much energy and enthusiasm. Each member of the cast is to any director like a clay model which then he moulds into the character he wants, but to breathe life into any role it requires the actor to make that image come alive and that is what happened here they became a group of believable characters. Grease is an affectionate pastiche of life in the 50’s, of college boys and girls and their sexual, personal and gang rivalry But most of all it’s about having fun, in the rock and roll era of the 50’s. Which it still manages to do 30 years after it was first staged, The start of the show was a little slow in pace, and a lot of the dialogue was a little fast so that we missed some of the words, but it gradually picked up as it continued and the words became less garbled.

SET
This was very effective, and the many changes were handled quietly and efficiently by Les Mountford and his crew.

LIGHTING
For the most part the cast were well lit, but on a couple of occasions there were some dark patches and some of the soloists were left in the shadow.

SOUND
The person who operated the sound system needs to be shot – not only were the mikes too loud so that the sound became a little harsh in some of the songs and dialogue and at one point there was some feedback. But in the stand out song “Hopelessly devoted to you” sung by Rosie Howard in the second Act it was completely ruined by the mike going on and off, coming up very loud then going quiet.

ORCHESTRA
Phil Dixon kept a tight rein on the orchestra so that they played at the right level never drowning the soloists. You had obviously worked the chorus and soloists hard and there were some good harmonies.

COSTUMES
Congratulations to Costume Designer Anne Gilbert and the Wardrobe team Of Anne Holgate, Rachel Saunders, Sue Cox and Kirsty Cox for creating the colourful costumes and made sure that the cast were correctly dressed for the period .
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PROPS
Well done to Richard Ross and Kirsteen Creswick for the many props which were in period and always in place.

CHOREOGRAPHY
Congratulations to Marilyn Norton-Smith and Sarah Bailey for the many different and dynamic routines which the cast attacked with great energy and enthusiasm, they were always in step and best of all full of smiles and it was obvious that they were enjoying themselves.

THE CAST
DANNY (Zack Taylor)
Zack gave a brilliant performance of the leader who was easy going and cool, full of charm and confident showing off to Sandy and boasting to the gang this was well thought out and you made it believable, between the two sides of you the one of the summer romance with Sandy and the other the boastful Danny to the gang. There was a good reaction with Sandy we could see the chemistry that was there and you have a good strong singing voice. Congratulations on an excellent performance.

KENICKIE (Luke Burnell)
Luke became the character at ail times and we could see the tough person that Kenickie is meant to be. You have a strong personality which helped in this character and you always looked at ease and gave a natural performance. Your song “Greased Lightnin’ “ was well handled but at times you were slightly off key which was covered by the rest of the gang singing. This was however a first class performance, well done.

JOHNNY (Liam Brailsford)
A good portrayal of someone who thinks that he is a rock and roll star, there was the right attitude and you have a strong voice which came over well in your song ”Born to hand jive”, you led the singing well and gave a good performance. Well done on a natural performance.

DOODEY (George Simpson)
George showed great promise in this role and the fact that he worshiped the other members of the gang with his “I want to be just like you” attitude was well handled. A natural actor at all times the part and good voice and movement. There was good interaction with the rest of the cast.. Well done.

ROGER (Tom Creswick)
This was a well created role of the young boy who wants to be like the older boys and boasts that he is more than he really is. Good speaking voice and always in character, this was a well crafted portrayal

EUGENE (Ben Maxted)
Ben created a character that was pompous, awkward and gullible -, this was a typical “geek” however it was good that you didn’t keep up the high pitched voice that you had at the start as it became unintelligible. At all times you kept in character and reacted well with the rest of the cast. Well done on a convincing performance.

VINCE FONTAINE (Abdi Mirreh)
From the beginning when he was on stage before the show proper started Abdi was in character as a Radio DJ, continually playing with his hair, and talking over the music, the only problem here was that at times you were talking so fast that we missed some of your dialogue. Otherwise this was a well worked out performance. Well-done

SONNY (Tom Rogan)
Tom worked well with the other members of the gang and we were presented with a well thought out portrayal of someone who thinks he is a lady killer, boastful in his ways, This was a convincing performance at all times you kept in character and looked relaxed and at home on the stage. Well done

RICKY (Rowan Wood) - JOE (Gabriel Marmage) - JUNIOR (James Bailey)
Rowan, Gabriel and James all interacted with the rest of the cast and created some good roles these were part of the gang, thinking that they were really grown up and super cool, trying to be tough and talking big. Good stage presence and always part of the action. Well done.

SANDY (Rosie Howard)
Rosie has a pleasant singing voice which worked well with her songs with Danny and Patty. This was a confident performance and you interacted well with Danny we could see the emotion between you and Danny and as the show progressed you blossomed from the sweet squeaky clean, wholesome and naive girl to the grown up Sandy at the end. Congratulations on the professional way in which you handled the problems with your mike in “Hopelessly devoted to you” it could have thrown some people but you carried on as nothing was happening and kept singing.

RIZZO (Georgia Ross)
Georgia has a powerful voice which didn’t really need a radio mike, this was a well thought out characterisation of a bossy, sarcastic and sour spoken person. But you also brought out her vulnerability when she thought she was pregnant. Once again Georgia gave a mature and confident performance and always in character. You have the makings of a first class actress and you deserve to do well studying Musical Theatre. Congratulations on your performance.

MARTY (Danielle Cox)
Danielle is a natural and relaxed actor, and with something that a lot af actors lack that is perfect enunciation whether you are singing or speaking we can hear every word clearly. You also have the ability to create a believable character. This was a professional performance.

FRENCHAY (Emily Baker)
Emily had obviously worked hard on her characterisation of Frenchay and we were treated to a performance that was at all times natural. You had created a dreamer of a girl who believed that she could do anything but really she was a lost girl living in her own world. We sympathised with you when your world was falling apart and in your song “Beauty school drop out” it was a joy to listen to you have a pleasant singing voice and this was a natural performance. Well done

JAN (Daniella Manning)
This character is supposed to be loud, pushy when with the girls but on the other hand shy when it comes to boys, Daniella created just the right difference in her character and you have a strong personality which came over in your acting. You interacted well with Roger and you at last overcame your shyness. A well thought out performance. Well done

PATTY (Abigail Humphries)
Abigail had to create a character that at all times was sure of herself, and always full of enthusiasm. In other words an All American Girl. You had no difficulty in dealing with this and we were treated to a first class performance. You have a good speaking voice that we could hear at all times and you move well on stage and have good stage presence. Congratulations on an excellent performance.

CHA CHA (Grace Gilbert)
Grace had thought about the character she had to create and you became the loud mouthed American girl who wants to be noticed. Well done on a confident performance.

MISS LYNCH (Ella Bailey)
Ella really looked the typical spinster teacher and gave a spirited performance as Miss Lynch.
Your outfit and how you handled the role helped create the character of an old maid. I was a little dubious about the wig though, but your acting and the way you helped to create this role.
made the character quite believable. Well done

BARBARA LOU (Josie Smith) DONNA SUE (Ellie Dunnel) and TONI (Safia Hatton-Smith)
These three girls were the typical all American teenage girls, and you all worked well together and blended well with the other members of the cast. Good voices and movement, and always in character. Well done.

THREE ANGELS (Ava Mannings – Frankie Spill – Amber Matthews)
And you all ;looked like angels in your sparkling costumes, Your song with Frenchy, was excellent and all three of you have strong mature singing voices and looked at home on the stage. Congratulations.

ANGEL GANG AND CHEER LEADERS
These girls all looked right and you all created typical “hip swinging” girls who hang around with the boys. There was so much energy and enthusiasm amongst you all and at all times you were part of the action. Well done on a first class performance.

I thoroughly enjoyed the show, despite the problem with the sounds, there was so much enthusiasm and energy from the cast at all times and always together in character and with smiles on their faces, congratulations on an excellent finale which had the audience clapping along. I was once again impressed on how many of the cast seem at home on the stage and always look natural and relaxed, and it was nice to see that there are so many talented actors coming up from the chorus who if given the chance will be the next leading lights. A talented cast and a hard working production team made this a professional style show
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I understand that producer David Cain is handing the reins to someone else; he will obviously be sorely missed, as he had achieved so much in those four years, and a good choice of shows during that time. Let us hope that who ever takes on this task will work as hard as David did in the four years that he was at the forefront of BAOS youth.

Thank you for your kind invitation and for the warm welcome as always front of house. I look forward to being invited to your next production.

Tony Winstone
NODA Representative – District 13