Lyric Theatre - Sydney
Sydney Season commenced 17th October 2013
Review by Bill Stephens
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| "Greased Lightnin' " ..the T.Birds |
John Frost has
gathered together a terrific cast for his latest production of the ubiquitous
1950’s musical “Grease”, which opened in Sydney this week in the Lyric Theatre.
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| Stephen Mahy (L) Robb Mills and Gretel Scarlet (C) Lucy Maunder (R) |
Robb
Mills portrays a delightfully dorky and agreeable, Danny, who surprises with
his terpsichorean skills particularly in the “Born to Hand Jive” number.
Relative newcomer,
Gretel Scarlett, channelling Olivia Newton-John, is perfect as the sugar-sweet,
Sandy, nailing her big moment with a superb version of “Hopelessly Devoted to
You”.
Lucy Maunder, seen at the Q recently in “Noel and Gertie”, is excellent
as the gutsy and acerbic Rizzo, bringing depth and sophistication to her
show-stopping interpretation of “There Are Worse Things I Can Do”. Even the
usually crass Kenickie turns out to be rather loveable as played by Stephen
Mahy. All work hard to bring some new perspective to roles which are
over-familiar from numerous productions both professional and amateur.
With
Stephen Amos’ gutsy band in full view on stage above the action, and its bright
paper cut-out style scenery, the production echoes the Melbourne Production
Company’s “in concert” stagings, relying on lots of colourful costumes, some
brilliantly manic choreography by Arlene Phillips’ and the full-on energy of
the willing young cast to provide the spectacle. However the show’s none the
worse for that as everyone knows the story and songs backwards and director
David Gilmore drives the action along at a fast bat, garnishing it with witty directorial
surprises and lavish production numbers to insure that the audience’ attention
never flags.
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| Todd McKenney as Teen Angel |
Just in case all that is not enough though, there’s also a quartet of big-name
guest artists filling the feature roles. Looking like a mirror-ball on speed, Todd
McKenney, surrounded by a posse of gorgeous show-girls, is a vision to behold
as he camps it up outrageously as Teen Angel, briefly referencing “The Boy from
Oz”, (“Oops! Sorry wrong show)”, in the process. It’s a pity someone can’t come up with
another starring role for McKenney to harness all that pizazz.
Anthony Callea, as Johnny Casino, almost gets lost in the crowd belting “Born to Hand
Jive”, and it’s great to see Bert Newton back on stage playing a great Bert
Newton as the radio presenter Vince Fontaine. Ditto Val Lehman playing Miss
Lynch as a rather homely Bea Smith.
Billed
as the No.1 Party musical, this production of “Grease” certainly fulfils that
promise, while providing a delightfully entertaining reminder of why this show
has retained its popularity for more than 40 years.
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| Lucy Maunder leading the ensemble for "Grease" Photos by Jeff Busby |
