Camden New Journal - Theatre: Grease

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The Review - THEATRE by RICHARD OSLEY
Published: 16 August 2007

Grease fails to ‘shape up’

GREASE
Piccadilly Theatre

THE musical may not be a genre famed for its Chekhov, yet the latest production of Grease to hit the West End stage could certainly do with a little something in the way of depth.
Perhaps we’re all just too used to the 1978 film, slick, perfectly pitched and apparently able to keep resonating with every new generation.
In contrast, this latest effort is clunky, disjointed and flat.
Whereas the film established the careers of John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, this show is trying it the other way round – transporting two text-a-number TV show contestants into the lead roles. Danny Bayne (as Danny) can definitely dance and Susan McFadden (Sandy) has an innocent charm.
But taking on the West End straight off the bat is a big ask and they don’t quite carry it off.
Not helping is the too-safe choreography, with the notable exception of the lively set piece We Go Together which brings new meaning to the hand jive.
Otherwise classic numbers such as Summer Dreams and You’re The One That I Want seem to find themselves with nowhere to go.
The show’s biggest crime is its failure to capture that special Danny-Sandy chemistry. The lack of nuance in Bayne’s performance means you can’t tell he particularly wants Sandy and she looks equally unfazed. Jayde Westaby as anti-heroine Rizzo makes a far better stab of it with Kenickie (Sean Mulligan). The audience loved it regardless, clearly delighted with their TV choices, so maybe – given that this is not a Chekhov play – that’s all that really counts.
Booking until June 2008

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