Prior to its 2004 UK tour Grease had a short Festive season in the Palace Theatre Manchester with Jonathan Wilkes and Hayley Evetts as Danny and Sandy.  Having just recently celebrated the 25^th anniversary of the film it is great to see this feel good musical still going from strength to strength. The audiences make this an almost sell-out 50’s ‘Rock N’ Roll’ party.

Sadly the charismatic Jonathan Wilkes leaves the show after Manchester, abdicating in place of the returning Ben Richards. I have been a fan of Jonathan’s since seeing him in “Godspell” and “The Rocky Horror Show” it was no surprise to me that his portrayal of Danny has to be one of the most memorable I have seen.  He is extremely at ease in the character and his cheeky good looks and effervescent personality shine through creating a thoroughly believable and appealing personality.

Unfortunately Haley was not on stage the evening I saw the show when Sandy was played by Suzanne Carley, one of the recent spate of personalities being discovered by reality TV shows. In Suzanne’s case it was through ‘Pop Idol 2003’ her performance was fairly creditable and enjoyable. Although for me Mary Doherty as Rizzo was in danger of steeling the scene from the leading lady. Sometimes the clash of streetwise chick and anxty teenager don’t sit well but I felt Mary did a superb job. Her singing voice is a pleasure to listen to and she plays the character with ease.

The other Pink Ladies are Danielle Corlass as Marty, Sarah Lowries as Frenchy and on 7-1-04 Jane Quinn as Jan, the girls are a great foil for both Sandy and Rizzo. Each adding their own special style to the characters and encouraging the girls in the audience to strive to become one of the gang.     

The hunky T Birds are Robbie Scotcher as Kenickie, Brendan Coustley as Sonny, Richard Hardwick as Roger and last but not least Graham (Rocky) Tudor as Doody. The guy’s have it easier than the girls with such great numbers as ‘Greased Lightnin’ and one of my personal favourites ‘Those Magic Changes’. Spotty obnoxious teenage fellas seldom seem quite as appealing as this quartet.

It seems unfair to mention individuals as the whole cast work well as an ensemble and are all equally talented producing a superb evenings entertainment.

The small orchestra lead by the exuberant Julian Reeve are featured at the start of each act then hidden behind the backdrop until the finale. The costumes and sets haven’t changed much since this production started touring after its resurrection in London with Craig McLauchlan and Debbie Gibson in 1993, but as they say if it ain't broke don’t fix it!

It was nice to see that the wonderful Paul Nicholas, ‘Paul Nicholas and David Ian associates ltd’, ‘Just Good Friends’ and many musicals including most recently ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ keeping a personal eye on the production. Sadly I didn’t see David Ian.

I’m looking forward to seeing the show again in The Playhouse Theatre Edinburgh 2^nd to 7^th February 2004.