When you think of teenage musicals based in American high schools in the 50’s , Grease will probably be in the top 5. Anyone over the age of 25 will have grown up with the familiar songs and stylings of John Travlota and Olivia Newton Johns classic which is rolled out onto our TV screens every Christmas, a film that teaches us that leather jackets and menacing slicked back hair is no match for a big song and dance number.
The stage musical rolled into the Opera House last night for a week long stint, with all the familiar songs found in the Grease mega mix, played at every function since 1871 such as ‘you’re the one that I want’ and ‘Grease is the word’, to the not so well known songs that appear in the background of the film such as ‘Raining on Prom night’. All the characters were featured and astetically looking like their film counter parts, with the guy playing Danny doing a better John Travolta that John Travolta himself.
It is important to remember that Grease the film and Grease the musical are different, once you have got over that your not watching the film, what you get is a camp, funny and highly entertaining and high energy show that takes you on the Grease journey and drops you off wishing that they still made ‘em like they used to. Rhydian of X Factor fame made a cameo as the ‘Teen Angel’ and entertained the crowd like any good Ex X Factor contestant would.
Any one leaving the theatre not entertained or humming at least one of the catchy hits must also be the type not to like puppies or Christmas and I wish, just for one day, my life would be a musical!
Grease is appearing at the Blackpool Opera House until 22 October
Stevie D'
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