My most vivid memory of seeing Grease at the cinema was actually going home afterwards. It was 1978 and I had taken my three much younger sisters, aged from eleven to fifteen, to see the film at our local picture house, I would have been twenty five the following month. Our parents were babysitting my two sons and this was a rare and exciting treat for the girls, anticipation and excitement were at an all time high.

The film lived up to all our expectations and the songs especially became imprinted on our brains, so much so that we linked arms and danced home along the pavement singing ‘You’re the One That I Want’ at the top of our voices. Thankfully this seemed to amuse passers-by who smiled happily at our antics.

Forty six years later I confess that it no longer holds much charm for me, but then once anticipation and curiosity is sated it no longer holds the same excitement. I was surprised, as I have been by many stage productions thinking they were based upon films, to find that this too started off on the Broadway stage in 1971. At that time being set in the 50s was not such a stretch, but today it is depicting American youth around seventy years ago. Eerily it seems all too familiar.

This show, the original stage version and the film all starred actors much older than the roles they played. John Travolta and Olivia Newton John were 23 and 29 with co-stars ranging from late twenties into their thirties. The criticism at the time I feel was unjustified because then, as now, it is easy to lose oneself in the production and not even think about the actors’ ages.

Personally, being an official member of the grey hair faculty, I do not find much pleasure these days in plays, films or even books based around teens. But that doesn’t mean I cannot see and applaud the talent that goes into those productions as much as into any other genre.

Despite the outstanding song and dance routines I knew my level of enjoyment would be less than that of someone seeing the story played out for the first time. Judging by the audience reaction and their ages I could tell that many were stalwart fans and many feeling almost the same exhilaration as I did all those years ago dancing with my sisters in the street.

The huge porthole type window high up at the back of the stage was a great touch. Through it we could see the DJ in action, although he did join the others on stage a few times.

The end came upon us suddenly and unexpectedly. I guess reproducing the final film scene where Sandy totally changes her image and surprises Danny at a funfair was too much to bring to the stage. Instead ‘the crew’ met up in what I can only describe as maybe a coffee shop, rather like the place the Fonz would hang out in Happy Days.

My guest, a few decades younger, thoroughly enjoyed the show and I must admit there wasn’t anything not to enjoy. There was not one cast member I could choose to mention above any other as all had talent by the shedload.

Having said that I have only two small criticisms: I don’t remember the film being as sexualised and I felt that a lovelorn teen would not have belted out a love song (Hopelessly Devoted to You), quite so dramatically.

I can’t imagine many people have not seen Grease, but if that is the case here is your opportunity to do so. If you just want a trip down memory lane or to introduce younger folk to 50s teens navigating their way through high school and first love, then again grab the chance to enjoy this show. If you don’t know who or what the Pink Ladies are go and find out, you may even see a few in the audience, we did.

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Theatre Review