Ever since John Travolta was left stranded at the drive in, branded a fool by Olivia Newton John way back in 1978, Grease has been the one that musical theatre fans want, Danny and Sandy everybody’s favourite High School sweethearts. Now their story is about to be told once more in an exciting new production of the much-loved smash hit musical produced by Blackpool’s historic Grand Theatre in association with Pitlochry Festival Theatre.
It’s an exciting prospect believes Adam Knight, Chief Executive of Blackpool Grand Theatre who says, “I’m incredibly proud Blackpool Grand Theatre is collaborating with Pitlochry Festival Theatre to bring Grease The Musical to the stage this summer.
“Grease has a special place in the hearts of so many people. My first experience of seeing Grease live was way back in 1993 at London’s Dominion Theatre, when Neighbours star Craig McLachlan and US recording artist Debbie Gibson took the iconic roles of Danny and Sandy, alongside Tamzin Outhwaite as Patty, Shane Ritchie as Kenickie and Sally Ann Triplett as Rizzo. I remember the atmosphere in the theatre was electric and I was on the edge of my seat as soon as the on stage band struck up the opening chord. It was one of my early experiences of the West End that inspired me to carve out my career in theatre”.
The new production, which opens at The Grand on 4 June and runs until 14 June, features a talented cast of actor musicians and promises to transport audiences back to the electrifying world of the 1950s and to Rydell High, where the whirlwind romance of new girl Sandy Dumbrowski and cool kid Danny Zuko, is the talk of the school. Join Sandy, Danny, Frenchie, Kenickie, Doody and all the gang as they navigate the trials and tribulations of high school with their respective cliques. There, the formidable and effortlessly sassy Pink Ladies and the slick-haired Burger Palace Boys – a name changed from the more familiar T-Birds of the movie – are on hand to add laughs, drama, and unforgettable musical moments along the way.
Those musical moments are now as famous as the characters themselves, director Sam Hardie recalls, “Grease was the first musical I ever saw, and I still remember the feeling of seeing the film for the first time, with songs that made you just want to move and characters you longed to be. The musical is now more than 50 years old and still, its songs can fill dance floors, karaoke rooms and play on radio stations across the world.”
With Book, music, and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, the iconic teenage anthems of Grease, full of the exuberance and rebellion, are now timeless favourites fixed in the public consciousness that to the movie; Hopelessly Devoted To You, You’re The One That I Want and Grease Is The Word all hit the No 1 spot in the UK charts, but it should not be forgotten, Grease started life as a piece of musical theatre.
Indeed it may surprise some to learn the stage show predates the movie by some eight years. The musical received its World Premiere in 1971 at Chicago’s Kingston Mines Nightclub. A year later a revised version debuted on Broadway where it ran until 1980, racking up 3,388 performances, at the time the longest run in Broadway history. It returned to Broadway in 1994 and again in 2007. In the UK meanwhile, it had its West End premiere in 1973, returning in 1979, 1993, 2001, 2002, 2007, 2022 and 2023.
Hardie continues, “I was delighted to be asked to direct Grease, this summer. The story is a celebration of what it means to be young; to fall in and out of love, to rebel, to dream, to dance and discover who we are and who we want to be. Now feels like exactly the right moment to tell this story and meet these young people who remind us of the vitality of life and that in this world we should go together rather than individuals apart. I cannot wait to work with this incredible company taking you to Rydell High for a summer full of joy, love and dancing.”
That “incredible company” finds Blythe Jandoo following in the footsteps of the likes of Elaine Paige as Sandy. Jandoo says, “It’s a privilege to add my name to the list of brilliant performers who have played the iconic role of Sandy in Grease.”
The company is completed by Alexander Service as Danny, Celeste Collier as the Teen Angel, Tyler Collins as Kenickie, Chris Coxon as Eugene, Stephanie Cremona as Cha Cha, Caitlin Forbes as Patty, April Nerissa Hudson as Frenchy, Lancashire-based performer Leah Jamieson as Jan, Jerome Lincoln as Roger, David Rankine as Doody, Oraine Johnson as Sonny, Keith Macpherson as Vince Fontaine, Alyson Orr as Miss Lynch, Fiona Wood as Rizzo, and
newcomers Eden Barrie and Louis Newman as Marty and Jonny Casino.
Artistic Director at Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Alan Cumming, best known for his roles in The Good Wife and the US editor of The Traitors, is thrilled by the co-production, Pitlochry’s first with Blackpool Grand, and reflects, “Increasingly, it’s clear that co-productions are a financial necessity for theatres, to ensure that quality titles and larger casts are still financially viable in these difficult times. But also, I think co-productions are a good idea in the way they form strong artistic bonds and alliances and ensure that the great work being made outside of the big cities has a longer and fuller life.”
Knight adds, “For theatres like ours, which largely present other people’s touring work, to be part of creating a new production from scratch is hugely exciting. It means the entire team are involved, whatever department they work in, and have the opportunity to bring their talents to the fore and feel a deeper sense of ownership of something that is created, especially for audiences here in Blackpool to enjoy.
“Sam Hardie’s new actor-musician staging of Grease also acts as a catalyst to inspire the next generation of theatre-makers, providing greater insight and access for our Grand Young Company and Young Technicians into how a professional production is mounted, supporting local skills development and creating employment opportunities.
“In this production, we proudly celebrate Lancashire-based talent with cast member Leah Jamieson, who has been coming to The Grand with her family and on school trips since childhood and previously appeared here in the national tour of Pride & Prejudice (*Sort Of), and award-winning sound designer Andy Graham whose work is also showcased later in the season by the UK Tour of The Shawshank Redemption.”
And Jamieson can’t wait to be home. She beams, “I am beyond excited to be returning to the North West, especially to be a part of this unique actor-muso production. Blackpool Grand is such a special theatre for me. It’s going to be the party of the summer, and it means so much to me that I’m bringing the show home to share the fun and music with my friends and family. I can’t wait to spend all of my 2ps in Silcocks during the day, then rock out on my saxophone at night.”
So if you were born to hand-jive, just remember, Grease The Musical and summer nights – and matinees – at The Grand go together like ra-ma, la-ma, la-ma, kadingy-ka, ding-a-dong…
Blackpool Evening Performances 7.30pm, June 4-14, Matinees 2.30pm, June 5, 7, 12, 14, Audio Described 2.30pm, 14 June. Tickets here.
This feature was commissioned by Blackpool Grand Theatre
