REVIEW: Grease – West Bromwich Operatic Society dance and delight in hot show

The fan-favourite romantic musical Grease returns to the West Midlands in a sizzling production by West Bromwich Operatic Society.

The sensational feel-good musical is currently playing at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.

The timeless show first premiered in a Chicago nightclub in 1971 before transferring to Broadway a year later and then opening in the West End in 1973.

The success of the stage show led to a famous Hollywood film in 1978 starring John Travolta and the late Olivia Newton-John. The film incarnation of the stage show went on to become a huge box office hit and earned around $341million.

The musical is now back on stage in a vibrant new production by the West Bromwich Operatic Society.

The story of the hit-show revolves around the budding romance between two American high school students named Danny and Sandy. Their romantic story, which is set in the 1950’s, takes place with lots interplay and shenanigans between the lovers and their high school friends.

The bright exterior layer of zesty energy and youthful comedy is a contrast to the serious issues such as teenage pregnancy, peer pressure, smoking, betrayal and gang violence which the musical bravely tackles. Despite being set in another era, the themes in the show remain topical.

The West Bromwich Operatic Society – which has been producing shows since 1938 – brings the musical to pulsating life with cast members who embrace the roles with passion and gusto.

Dan Smith and Emily Smith are perfectly cast as Danny and Sandy and their chemistry is infectious, and their romantic scenes are filled with a sparkling buoyancy.

Danny’s best friend Kenickie is played by Theo Pitter who is so flamboyant and striking that he could easily be mistaken as the lead character. Pitter’s dance moves and vocal agility are full of a lusty virility.

The ensemble cast delivers melodic performances filled with a musicality that lifts the spirit with joy.

It was noticed that there were moments in the atmospheric production when the American accents sometimes ebbed away and the illusion of Americana evaporated.

Director Adam Partridge ensures the musical keeps bubbling along from scene to scene with never a dull moment in sight in Act I but the action slows down somewhat in Act II.

The gorgeous lighting by Matt Bird showcases the authentic costume design by Jan Cole while Claire Favell’s choreography wisely retains the tempo and flow of the era in which the musical is set which makes the dances numbers look like a fizzy bottle of pop, all frothy and energetic.

All of the classic Grease hit songs are here including Grease is the Word, Sandy, Summer Nights, Greased Lightening, We Go Together, and the legendary You’re the One That I Want.

This smoking hot production is greased with sizzling energy and passion.

VERDICT: ★ ★★★☆ 

Grease is currently playing at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until Saturday 25 March