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20 June 2025
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4****
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From the moment Natasha Newsam-Mabey, impressively, gives voice to the title song of the show, you just get the feeling that ‘Grease’ is in safe hands. The 1971 musical was given longevity by the 1978 film which catapulted it into the stratosphere. In essence it is a curiously thin piece of work with very little story – with strains of Romeo & Juliet crossed with The Ugly Duckling – though the songs are strong – but it is the overall production which is the clincher. WODS Musical Theatre Company’s production at the Weston super Mare Playhouse certainly ticks some of the most important boxes.
As mentioned, the music is almost everything with this show and the band, under musical director Annie Ford, is top rate; giving full value to the well-known and less well-known numbers in the show. It is worth noting that this production contains some of the iconic songs written for the film (‘Sandy’, ‘Hopelessly Devoted’ etc) that, for many years were not permitted to be used in stage productions – all are real crowdpleasers.
A few years ago, a professional tour of ‘Grease’ saw some of the iconic choreography ditched in favour of a new look; it ended as a bit of a muddle; the WODS choreography team of Harri Moore, Carrie Curtis and Merle Harrison-Croft have skilfully taken much of the tradition and added their own embellishments – the additions never detract from the originals and it works a treat. How they manage to so effectively choreograph this vast company is a wonder – but pitching it so all can master the moves is the key – this is triumphant work.
The show is played out on a fine adaptable set which is moved and transformed with efficiently and without fuss. Lighting is good and creates some strong effects – epitomised in ‘Beauty School Dropout’ – always a highlight and it doesn’t disappoint, though maybe some dry ice might have been the cherry on the top. There were a few sound issues throughout, but in general the balancing was fine. Costumes felt appropriate to the period and character but there seemed to be rather a lack of grease – in the men’s hair that is, the quiffs were somewhat flat or too bouncy.
Performance wise this was a very strong production. I doubt you would find a better Sandy than Holly Elkins, who was about as perfect as you could get, with astonishingly good vocals. Mike Ludlow has a Travoltaesque pitch to his voice, but he fits the bill perfectly as Danny. The connection between the leads is vital to the story and here it works a treat. Laura Curtis is a tremendous Rizzo with her acidic tongue and sharp asides, as the (potentially) ‘tragic’ figure of the show, she is able to show more depth than other characters; ‘There Are Worse Things I Could Do’ is a real showstopper.
Nick Uttley is a wonderfully arrogant Kenickie and Harry Upton-Hurst has great comic timing (and a very mobile face) as Roger. Stephanie Coates (Frenchy), Honey McKenna (Jan) and Rachel Knight (Marty) are all excellent as the other Pink Ladies – their interaction feels very genuine.
Elsewhere there are great contributions from Tom Lawton (Eugene) – perfectly geeky, Luke Burgess (Vince Fontaine) – perfectly sleazy and Sarah Carraud (Miss Lynch) – perfectly terrifying. Paul Papworth, complete with pink quiff, has a star turn as Teen Angel – a spot on performance.
A few times throughout the transitions between scenes felt a little awkward with a silence, but this is a small niggle in a production which WODS should be very proud of. On one of the hottest days of the year, the whole company gave the show great energy and the smiles (when appropriate) were to be seen on every face of the large number of performers. Owen James’ production is huge fun, very likeable and punctuated by some outstanding performances and provides first-class entertainment for the packed houses.
Cast
Danny – Mike Ludlow
Sandy – Holly Elkins
Rizzo – Laura Curtis
Kenickie – Nick Uttley
Marty – Rachel Knight
Doody – David McLaughlin
Roger – Harry Upton-Hurst
Jan – Honey McKenna
Frenchy – Stephanie Coates
Sonny – Tim Clarke
Teen Angel – Paul Papworth
Jonny Casino – Natasha Newsam-Mabey
Miss Lynch – Sarah Carraud
Vince Fontaine – Luke Burgess
Cha Cha – Merle Harrison-Croft
Patty – Kristina Vaux
Eugene – Tom Lawton
Radio Star – Ash Shipton
Angie – Sarah Carraud
Ensemble & Dancers – Emily Fairchild, Shania Clarke, Julie Doe, Cassie Riney, Helen Robbins, Alysha Anderson, Abbie Parsons, Chloe Palmer, Jean Bennett, Mark Bennett, Louise Statter, Tracy Wood, Jess Stock, Beth Wadsworth, Carrie Curtis, Chloe McCallum, Daisy Wilson, Harri Moore, Abi Robbins, Cara Upton-Hurst, Gemma Pearsall, George McCallum, Gesine Gill, Helen Brand, H Baker, Jack Allan, Jamie Carter, Katie Rendle
Creatives
Music, Lyrics & Book – Jim Jacobs & Warren Casey
Director – Owen James
Musical Director – Annie Ford
Choreographers – Harri Moore, Carrie Curtis & Merle Harrison-Croft
Production Assistant – Lynda James
Lighting Design – Peter Tilke
Sound Engineer – Graeme Renson, Ulta Light & Sound
Stage Manager – Alex Scott
Costume Co-ordinators – Abbie Parsons & Cassie Riney
Show Photography/Photo Credit – Alex Wong & Ian Young
