Saturday, August 1, 2015

GREASE



Book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey
Directed by Stephen Pike
Queanbeyan City Council production
At The Q Theatre until 15 August.

Review by Len Power 29 July 2015

‘Grease’ is a nostalgic fairy tale but it’s amusing to think that in these politically correct times we all happily flock to a musical in which a nicely-mannered, pretty girl learns that she has to look and act like a leather-clad tart to keep her oaf-of-a-boyfriend’s interest.

Compared to the original, much grittier version, stage productions of ‘Grease’ these days are more like the blander, sugar-coated but enjoyable movie version of 1978.

Rosanna Boyd was excellent as Sandy as was Vanessa de Jager as Rizzo.  Marcus Hurley as Danny gave a strong performance in the first act but seemed less energetic in the second act.  There were also great cameo moments from Jonathan Garland, Dave Collins, Hayden Crossweiller, Liam Downing and each of the Pink Ladies.

Rosanna Boyd as Sandy
The set for the show and the projections were unimaginative and a disappointment.  There was so little detail it seemed more like a concert version of the show.  Jordan Kelly’s choreography was certainly energetic but often had nothing to do with the intention of particular scenes and it all looked the same after a while.
Marcus Hurley as Danny
 Costumes by Anna Senior were colourful and attractive with great attention to detail.  The singing was confident and the band conducted by Jenny Tabur sounded excellent.  Sound balance was occasionally uneven, making it hard to hear some lyrics clearly.

Vanessa de Jager as Betty

Stephen Pike’s show has an appealing freshness due mostly to the enthusiastic young cast.  It just needed some better production values to make it a great one.

Photos taken at the Media Call on 22 July 2015 by Len Power
 
Originally published in Canberra City News digital edition 30 July 2015.  Len Power’s reviews are also broadcast in the ‘Artcetera’ program on Artsound FM 92.7 on Saturdays from 9am.