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Post by Dr Tom on Sept 19, 2023 12:33:53 GMT
I somehow ended up seeing Grease twice last week. The first time was with a discounted ticket, but then an even better discount offer came along so I made a second visit. I also had rather a problem with my eye watering (and being unable to keep it open) the first time - which happens sometimes with hot weather and bright lights, so I didn't enjoy this so much.
I was very lucky to get to see Luke Redmore on as Danny. I've always liked Luke and he sings Sandy perfectly.
Lots of Australian accents around me both shows, so this is bringing in the visitors. On a separate note, I hadn't realised how many people just come for the second half. I made the mistake of moving to an empty seat and got caught out by this (although I did just move again). Funnily enough, the two ladies who arrived then left straight after Beauty School Dropout. I did briefly spot a phone camera being prepared. I didn't see it being used, but if I was a betting man, there's a site out there somewhere filled with clips of Jason Donovan's brief appearance.
The audiences weren't perfect, but I've seen worse, and the new pre-show announcement must be helping.
They also name-checked Alex Christian during the hand jive scene one night, so I suspect he was in the audience somewhere.
All enjoyable enough anyway. Yes, the ending is horribly flawed by modern standards, but I don't know how to fix it, the music is good, and sometimes you just need a light day out.
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Post by FrontrowverPaul on Sept 19, 2023 14:06:06 GMT
I saw Grease at the Dominion and also an amateur production in Surrey just a few days apart not long ago. It's a favourite musical - though I've never got over the lovely Debbie Gibson being off when I first saw it on stage back in 1993.
For me that lighter, funnier, more joyous original available to amateur musical groups works better than the ex-Curve grittier version. Maybe next time they'll revive the original. In the meantime go amateur for that 1990s script ! (eg Central Theatre Chatham in October and Hampton on the Hill Theatre in December)
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3,349 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Nov 11, 2023 13:56:03 GMT
This has closed again now, but I saw this a few times in the closing fortnight. Highlights were seeing Sario Solomon's debut as Teen Angel, along with a rare appearance of Joshua Steel as Vince Fontaine. Plus an excellent mockup matinee. Any performance where the names of all the cast are worked into the script, plus one which has George Michaelides in a bikini, can't be faulted (in one of those bizarre twists, there were lots of Newsies regulars in, and I nearly walked into Mark Samaras - looking fabulous with blond hair - on Oxford Street afterwards).
I see this is touring next year. I do like the slighter darker take of this version. I wouldn't be surprised if this if back in London before too long.
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Post by danb on Nov 11, 2023 14:03:08 GMT
I saw Grease at the Dominion and also an amateur production in Surrey just a few days apart not long ago. It's a favourite musical - though I've never got over the lovely Debbie Gibson being off when I first saw it on stage back in 1993. For me that lighter, funnier, more joyous original available to amateur musical groups works better than the ex-Curve grittier version. Maybe next time they'll revive the original. In the meantime go amateur for that 1990s script ! (eg Central Theatre Chatham in October and Hampton on the Hill Theatre in December) I too would have been bereft if the Gibson had been missing on my first visit. ❤️ It was on a crisp autumnal West End Saturday afternoon after seeing this that I realised that Mrs Dan was the one for me. (Or the one that I want-ed as it were). Very fond memories of that original Dominion production and its scale, and the launch pad or boost for many careers. |
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3,349 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 13, 2024 21:41:34 GMT
Has anyone seen the new cast yet? I'm booked for Bromley on Monday.
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3,349 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 15, 2024 21:20:11 GMT
Everyone on fine form tonight (apart from the singing of the woman behind - but thankfully her children largely refused the requests from her to join in).
Odd seeing this on such a small stage. A few weird changes with lines cut and changed etc, and with Those Magic Changes, but all holds together well. A very strong cast, especially Marley Fenton, who really rocked his slicked hair. Perfect sound quality too, far better than in London.
Hope to see the tour again before too long.
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Post by ladidah on May 24, 2024 8:28:26 GMT
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Post by david on Jun 1, 2024 14:02:05 GMT
A few thoughts from Wednesday's visit to the Liverpool Empire. Director Nikolai Foster and his team have done a good job with this and despite not coming away loving this one, there was a lot to like about his much darker and grittier take on this iconic show rather than being a copy of the 90's version.
Marley Fenton and Hope Dawe did a wonderful job as Danny and Sandy with some great vocals and stage chemistry. Rebecca Stenhouse as Rizzo for me was standout in this cast. Bringing both sass and vulnerability to the character. Singing "There are worse things I could do" at the end of the scene with Sandy after the argument really gave the song more emotional impact. I am glad that the role of Vince / Teen Angel wasn't stunt casted for this tour which put me off seeing it in the WE with Peter Andre / Louise Rednapp. Joe Gash did a great job in the role. As the rest of the cast, I really don't have any issues and all did a great job both with the acting and singing.
Those iconic songs from the pen of Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey are given a new lease of life under the supervision of Sarah Travis and MD Charlie Ingles and the wonderful 8 piece band. I've no complaints with the sound design on my visit. The band were loud enough to hear them alongside the fantastic vocal talents of the cast. I will say, I was very surprised to read in the cast bio section of the programme that this tour is Hope's professional debut. A fantastic debut here (her solo numbers delivered wonderfully) and someone to look out for in the future.
The 1950's set design from Colin Richmond worked well creating the different settings whether it be Rydell High or a burger bar and even with all the bits of set and the car on stage alongside the entire cast and filled the large Empire stage nicely without it seemingly cramped on stage. A nice lighting design from Ben Cracknell added a extra dimension to the show, especially during the big dance numbers.
The choreography from Dame Arlene Philips and Richard Roe really was a joy to watch and particularly during "Greased Lightning" and "Born to Hand Jive" were two standout moments for me during the show that were delivered brilliantly by the cast with plenty of energy.
So, despite all the praise so far, there were bits I felt didn't work. Firstly, i think the impact of "Hopless Devoted to You" despite being sung brilliantly by Hope, for me didn't have the emotional impact it should of had of where it was placed in this production. The final with "You're the one that I want" didn't hit the mark for me. I wanted it be a funnier / sexier number between Danny and Sandy but never happened.
No Grease show would be complete without the mega mix, and maybe unsurprisingly, I was on my feet at the end singing along. I will say the audience thankfully were well behaved during the show so we could enjoy it peace. Having paid £17 for a front stalls ticket, I certainly got full value of my ticket from my ticket, though I wouldn't rush back and see it again if it came back any time soon.
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Post by lizabella on Jun 3, 2024 18:46:05 GMT
I've seen Grease many many times over the years. Sometimes I've been disappointed but not on this occasion. The show really came together well, fresh choreography from Arlene Phillips and brand new cast. Danny and Sandy had good chemistry and sounded great, the rest of the cast were true to the original and strong. I preferred watching the show in a smaller theatre compared to the Dominion the stage is so huge there. Try to catch it when the tour comes close to you.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jun 3, 2024 19:02:07 GMT
This appears to be half price for ATG+ members for opening night in Manchester. A very rare level of discount.
Spend the savings on Prosecco!
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19,776 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 22, 2024 17:16:48 GMT
Friend went to see this in Blackpool today. They weren’t impressed. Apparently the gang aren’t called T Birds anymore, they’re called the Burger Palace Boys. What’s that about?
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Post by elfman1 on Aug 22, 2024 17:22:59 GMT
Friend went to see this in Blackpool today. They weren’t impressed. Apparently the gang aren’t called T Birds anymore, they’re called the Burger Palace Boys. What’s that about? The name T-Birds is an invention of the movie. They were called the burger palace boys originally |
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Post by danb on Aug 22, 2024 17:30:48 GMT
Yeah, this is actual ‘Grease’ not movie mash up ‘Grease’. It’s serious business.
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19,776 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 22, 2024 18:03:18 GMT
I prefer T Birds 😀
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Post by danb on Aug 22, 2024 18:06:16 GMT
Was Cha Cha De Gregorio (the best dancer at St. Bernadettes with the worst reputation) still present? Because I have limits…
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Post by PhantomNcl on Aug 23, 2024 9:08:20 GMT
Was Cha Cha De Gregorio (the best dancer at St. Bernadettes with the worst reputation) still present? Because I have limits… Cha Cha is still present  |
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Post by fluxcapacitor on Aug 29, 2024 7:07:59 GMT
Friend went to see this in Blackpool today. They weren’t impressed. Apparently the gang aren’t called T Birds anymore, they’re called the Burger Palace Boys. What’s that about? The name T-Birds is an invention of the movie. They were called the burger palace boys originally It’s interesting reading reviews how many “changes” people have pointed out since this revival began - songs, scene orders, gang names etc - which are often just the original script. Shows just how ingrained the movie version is in people’s minds, and how much other recent productions have been sanitised and remoulded to fit the movie more closely. Even this version bends (for example including Sandy/Hopelessly Devoted etc) because of audience expectations. I hope the ORIGINAL Grease gets an outing over here at some point. It’s much grittier and raunchier than even this version, located explicitly in Chicago with plenty of local slang, and features mostly alternative versions of songs before they were reworked to what we now recognise (even Summer Nights is missing). It’s hardly ever done, and would only work in a smaller fringe venue, but it would be interesting to see. |
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