REVIEW: NETheatre York present Grease! The Musical

Grease was the word for Saturday's matinee performance, as Jorvik Radio's Robbie Burns explains...

IT'S been talked about for months, and it's now got York talking - Grease was the word from the 25th to the 29th July, as NETheatre York brought it to, a very vibrant, Joseph Rowntree Theatre.

We went to the matinee, at 2.30pm on Saturday 29th July. We bought our drinks, took our seats and listened to the pre-opening soundtrack, which consisted of music from the 1950s getting us ready for a trip to Rydell High in 1959.

The stage was set, with a giant 'Grease' sign above - and then it started!

Scott Kendrew opens the show singing his version of Franki Valli's 'Grease', followed by a flurry of Rydell High pupils, and Miss Lynch, Head Teacher (played by Perri-Ann Barley). The stage is busy, and it can be difficult to hear what's going on, and who to focus on, but nevertheless, a great start!

Then there were performances by some of the other main characters, with Mia Beatrice playing Sandy, Finley Butler as Danny Zuko, and the fantastic solo performance of 'There Are Worse Things (I Could Do)', performed by Melissa Boyd, as well as the legendary Steve Tearle as the Teen Angel.

The production, set design, lighting & overall choreography of Grease was something NETheatre York should be extremely proud of. With the exception of some lost dialogue during some of the 'busier' scenes, this was an incredible performance.

At the end, as expected, the cast came on stage and were highly (and loudly) applauded by a very satisfied audience. The applause continued for so long, people started standing and applauding, which clearly demonstrated how well-received this performance was.

Following the lengthy applause, Teen Angel (Steve Tearle) asked if the audience wanted more, and with the response being an inevitable 'yes', they started their version of the classic Grease Megamix, which had everyone on their feet, singing & dancing. We were still singing it on our way out of the theatre.

The energy from start to finish was faultless. Credit goes to the team at NETheatre York for another outstanding production.