Theatre Review: Grease - New Wimbledon Theatre (UK Tour) ✭✭✭✭

Grease

New Wimbledon Theatre (UK Tour)

Monday 15th October: A sold out New Wimbledon Theatre is the home for Grease this week, and this touring production still goes to show that it does indeed have the word.

The neon set, bleachers, ensemble and band still give it that feel of the iconic film, yet with the adaptations and extra songs, it still excites audiences over thirty years on. Danny and Sandy are the two lovebirds at Rydell High... do I really need to tell you the plot? I think everybody knows it by now.

Danny Bayne plays Danny in this performance, with a Travolta-esque Zuko laugh, T-Bird walk and dancing to match. Vocals were great, but quiet in places, radio mic not packing a punch over the band who were in full swing. Carina Gillespie as Sandy was note perfect, and could be heard throughout, her mic seemingly stronger.

Russell Grant plays Teen Angel, and to my surprise, his vocals were strong and hitting the high notes with ease. Beauty School Drop Out choreographed nicely to allow Russell to move effortlessly around the stage.

A special mention of Charlotte Gooch playing Patty Simcox - wonderful! Comic timing, facial expressions, dancing and flexibility meant she was a delight to watch on stage all evening.

All the hits are there, Summer Nights, You're The One That I Want, Greased Lightning and a slower than usual version of Born To Hand Jive (I feel this needs cranking up to 45rpm to really get the juices flowing).

A great night out, some quality performances, and a fabulous sing-a-long show. What more could you want? Grease is the word...

4 stars out of 5 ✭✭✭✭

Tour Dates

Wimbledon New Wimbledon Theatre 15 – 20 October

High Wycombe Wycombe Swan Theatre 22 – 27 October

York Grand Opera House 29 October – 3 November

Swansea Grand Theatre 5 – 10 November

Hull Hull New Theatre 19 – 24 November

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre 26 November – 1 December

Leicester De Montfort Hall1 1 – 30 December