Grease the Musical
- Paul Mackenzie
- Jun 6
- 2 min read
Book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey
Blackpool Grand/Pitlochry Festival Theatre production
Blackpool Grand Theatre
June 6-14, 2025; 2hrs 30mins
(then Pitlochry Festival Theatre, June 18-September 27)
There are obvious hazards with any adaptation of a much-loved classic. And classics don’t come much better loved than Grease the Musical.
The first Broadway production smashed box office records when it opened in 1972, as did the film that followed six years later. The fact that it has remained globally popular ever since poses conundrums for new productions: do you try to find a new approach, or simply replicate what has worked before?
This production, developed by Blackpool Grand Theatre in collaboration with Pitlochry Festival Theatre, is billed as a fresh take that promises to tell the story with grit, verve and fun. On the whole, that's what it does.
The big pitfall here is the inevitable comparison audiences will draw with the film and familiar stage show. While there are some strong performances – Fiona Wood as Rizzo and April Nerissa-Hudson as Frenchy stand out – Alexander Service is less convincing as Danny Zuko, who leads the Burger Palace Boys without the confident swagger and easy charm of John Travolta’s portrayal.
There was a false start on press night when a problem with the sound during the opening number caused a 15 minute delay before a restart. The cast appeared unfazed by the hiccup, but there were still some issues here and there in hearing the voices over the music.
But that was fine - because pretty much everyone in the audience knew the words anyway, many of whom were happy to give us their rendition. If you’re not a fan of audiences singing along, perhaps give this one a wide berth. Everyone else should book now.
The plot, costumes and songs are as you’ll recognise from the film, but the new twist here is that the actors are playing the music too - and they do it well. At times, inevitably, the instruments get in the way of the action – as we near the finale and Danny and Sandy (Blythe Jandoo) publicly declare their love, he can’t take her in his arms because he’s playing the guitar.
Set designer Nick Trueman has created a simple, versatile space with some particularly nice touches – the way the Burger Palace sign opens for the song Beauty School Dropout is fun, and when Greased Lightning makes an appearance, the car is very much not the pink Cadillac that was parked outside the theatre.
It’s a fun show, full of charm; by the end many in the near full-house were on their feet. It will do well because productions of Grease almost always do, but it should do well because director Sam Hardie has created an entertaining and hugely engaging show that is a loving homage to the original.
Yes, it’s a little rough round the edges here and there, not all the scene changes are totally slick, and it could maybe do with a bit more pace at times, but none of that detracts from its appeal.
More info and tickets here
