DRAMA
GREASE LIGHTNING STRIKES AGAIN
It was joyous and endearing watching a group of young
Storey tapping his baton on the music stand… during a performance. This 2016 production was superb. It created an atmosphere that was so heady and intoxicating the audience couldn’t fail to hit the roof at the finale. As Danny Zuko, Cameron Forbes had the perfect combination of handsome charm and over-confidence, playing ‘love-struck cool’ with aplomb. Sandy, played by Mancie Baker, had a beautiful voice and was able to wrap Danny round her finger with her easy charm. Both clearly have bright futures ahead of them on stage, if they choose. These two were ably supported by the T-Birds Sonny (Jack Ramsay) and Roger (Barney Mills), who were terrific comic foils to Freddie Maher’s smoothly charming Kenickie, while Dan Norton- Smith’s Doody created one of the stand-out moments of the evening with his transformation into a guitar- playing rock star. They were matched with the sassiest bunch of Pink Ladies, who ran rings around them at every turn. Special mention goes to Isabella Palmer, who brought heart-breaking depth to the acerbic and complicated Rizzo, stopping the show with a performance of musical brilliance. The ensemble’s charm, playfulness and spontaneity was outstanding, and tour-de force direction ensured that, in some of the big numbers, the eye-watering 50-plus on stage never, ever missed a beat. It was joyous and endearing to watch a group of young actors fully inhabiting 1950s American teens, creating new cameos and investing chorus roles with individuality, flair and panache. The stand-out number Greased Lightnin’ even showcased a real car complete with flashing lights, gravity defying dance moves and talented Alleynians
actors fully inhabiting 1950s American teens
in all their glory. Final mentions for their glorious cameos must go to Amos Edwards as the sleazy Vince Fontaine, the duo of Buzz Robb and Clara Morel as the hapless Eugene and Patty Simcox, and especially Aidan Williams for his extraordinary transformation as Teen Angel: Aidan’s charismatic, mercurial performance, tongue firmly in cheek, was remarkable. We came away from the evening with even more of an appreciation of the importance of our drama experience at Dulwich College. Every day, working in the City (James) or as an award-winning theatre director (Ned), we draw upon the skills we learnt on stage in the T-Birds (aside from stealing cars!), and performing other roles. Performance taught us how we should speak publicly, how to work in a team and hold an audience – drama is, after all, the best team sport. What the Grease cast has experienced will stay with them forever, whether they move into a career in the theatre or do something completely different. Believe us when we say we have been dining out on being Danny in Grease for 15 years and will continue to do so for the next 15 as we age, become overweight and go bald. It was truly formative for us and we were absolutely thrilled by the latest production, testimony to the same creative team of Kathryn Norton-Smith, Jo Billington, Peter Jolly and Andrew Storey, who put up with us all those years ago.
Grease Senior Production REVIEW
Ned Bennett ıIŮlj}¶ James Chilvers (OA)
T hey say nostalgia isn’t what it used to be, but watching Grease was enough to bring on early mid-life crises for the two of us. The vigour and unbridled joy played out on stage infected every member of the packed theatre. We were thrown back in time when watching the new, dazzling (and certainly improved) production of the musical classic performed by the latest generation of Dulwich College and JAGS students. What was presented on stage was clearly the culmination of years of friendship, flair and fun. Thinking back to 15 years ago, we both remember the feeling of dread when confronted with 50 girls expertly doing the hand jive, a memory that has stayed with us ever since. The ‘best’ moments were Andrew Storey’s ringing endorsement, ‘You two were the best of a bad bunch!’ and the moment Ned blacked out and stopped singing during Alone at the Drive-In Movie to be woken by Dr
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