Grease (2024)

Rydell High returns to Milton Keynes Theatre this week with the UK tour of Grease The Musical.

This is a fresh version of the show based on the original 1971 Chicago production which came before the more familiar movie version so there are a few differences - the T Birds are the Burger Palace Boys and it's Sandy Dumbrowski rather than Olson. It's also possibly a bit edgier and grittier where the movie was toned down.

While there are no big celebrity names this time, the cast are superb with an outstanding professional debut from Hope Dawe as the perfect Sandra D, alongside Marley Fenton as Danny Zuko who manages to bring a real depth to the character.

There are some sensational dance routines with the entire cast perfectly in sync in some complex choreography, notably Greased Lightning and the dance contest scene. The pace is great with barely noticable scene changes and a constant string of familiar songs that sound great with the live band - although the Born To Hand Jive sequence lacks the extreme hand jiving of previous productions.

Joe Gash gives a great performance as radio DJ Vince Fontaine, with the perfect blend of slick and sleazy, and the understudies who are taking on many of the roles of the Pink Ladies and Burger Palace Boys do a great job.

From start to finish, it's hard to fault this show and it's easily the best production of Grease that's come to Milton Keynes Theatre.