Grease

Grease is most certainly the word; it has been since the original film burst onto our screens and it still is today. Whilst it may lack the risqué edge which it had when it first appeared, Grease is still a vastly enjoyable show which is still managing to pull the punters in.

You’re going to know all the songs but please, don’t sing along too loudly as you may be asked to leave the theatre! All your favourites are here, “Hopelessly Devoted”, “Greased Lightning” and “You’re the One that I Want” but, for once, put your hairbrush-microphone down, step away from the mirror and let the professionals show you how it really should be done. There are some wonderful numbers in this show that really shouldn’t be attempted at home as well: the stunning rendition of “We Go Together” with a super-fast dance routine to match the tongue-twister lyrics would likely induce some form of mild stroke in any regular member of the public who attempted to pull it off. But, your favourites are in good hands down at the Piccadilly Theatre and, with shows running until the end of October, you’ve got no excuse not grab your leathers, quiff back your hair and head on down.

For those un-initiated yet into Grease, it tells the story of naive and intelligent new girl in town Sandy who falls for school heartthrob and cool-kid Danny, whom she had a fling with over the summer. Danny is torn between his feelings for Sandy and his need to luck cool for his T-Bird palls, whilst the ‘Pink Ladies’ can’t decide whether Sandy is just too pure to be allowed into their gang. Essentially a high-school coming of age story done wonderfully well, Grease has captured the imaginations of generations and recreates the 1950’s so well that it’s like stepping into a time machine.

If you’ve seen the film and think you can’t really by surprised anymore by the story then think again, the stage version offers some subtle variations and scenes you won’t have seen before. The intimacy of the theatrical setting allows the love stories between the more minor members of the T-Birds and the Pink Ladies to be explored, whilst the Sandy/Rizzo antagonism and friendship is also looked much more closely with some intriguing consequences. Get down and try to stop yourself from jumping the stage and joining in the dances!