Review: Grease, Bristol Hippodrome – ‘Glorious: deserves to be seen by die-hards and newcomers in equal measure’

Sometimes the only available option for chills is for them to multiply. Quite right too.

For over 50 years, Grease has run the gamut of popular entertainment, from Chicago to Broadway to Hollywood and beyond. Its fizzle and its reach are barely letting up, because the cultural phenomenon now lands at Bristol Hippodrome for a short run of swooning, crooning and masterful tuning, turning out the big hits with some modern twists thrown in for good measure.

This take on the certified classic hinges on a fresh young cast performing quickfire witty exchanges and world-famous tunes with serious verve.

Deena Kapadia & Marley Fenton in Grease UK & Ireland Tour

The Pink Ladies and Burger Palace Boys are a captivating pair of crews, potent in their separate scenes and converging with even greater gravitas at Rydell High School. The full-cast harmonies and dazzling dance numbers are obviously some of the biggest-ticket moments.

Marley Fenton perfectly captures Danny’s magnetism and mystery. You get every sense this is a character at a crossroads, though some of the sentiments (“why are you getting so shucked up over a single comment” etc.) are a remnant of their time and a touch jarring in ours.

It takes time for Sandy to really materialise as a lead, especially in the first half. Here, she’s depicted by Phoebe Roberts — billed as second understudy — but her performance eventually has all the nuance of the girl-next-door turned leather-clad bombshell.

Hope Dawe (centre) & cast in Grease

These two are ushered along by stellar support. Sario Solomon is all the right levels of silly as Sonny, a constant source of laughs and jolting movements. And it’s a testament to Rebecca Stenhouse’s performance that Betty Rizzo casts an irritating figure in large parts. Look at me, I’m Sandra Dee is a perfect example of her ability to combine sharp humour with bristling bitterness. Other understudies come to the fore with delightful aplomb, including Zera Malvina Aitken as Frenchy.

There are more than a few cartoonish, caricature voices put on this in production, some of which teeter on the edge of great and grating. Alas, that’s the era, that’s the spot, that’s the style.

Perhaps most importantly, Nikolai Foster’s direction and Arlene Phillips’ choreography never miss a beat. Their tight-knit work — alongside the super-sharp live band beneath the stage — make Grease the all-out frenzy of action, introspection and serious pomp that we’ve come to know and love.

(l-r) Lewis Day, Kieran Lynch, Sario Solomon & George Michaelides

The scenery and costume work from Colin Richmond is wonderful too. Take Kenickie’s beat-up car. It’s a spectacle seeing that thing pivot and play its part in scenes. Greased Lightnin’ is a highlight on the musical front, with wicked work from the gruff and gritty Ben Nicholas.

There’s a somewhat incongruous song about mooning, which is a rather remarkable if not baffling feature. But boy oh boy do the classics feel classic. Summer Nights nails the back-and-forth, and the delightfully lively doo-wop We Go Together sees out Act One with a glorious jig.

The post-interval highlight reel barely lets up. The High School Dance Contest is an absolute bonanza of moving bodies and delightful details. Frenchy’s fairy godmother scene too: first-rate escapism buoyed by the pink, pervasive costumes.

Marley Fenton & Hope Dawe

Joe Gash — stepping out from the elevated DJ decks and wild, warbling announcements of Vince Fontaine — offers up a glorious falsetto and commanding, albeit fleeting turn as Teen Angel on Beauty School Dropout.

And of course there’s the mighty fine finale. You’re the One That I Want cuts through the fact that Sandy’s switch-up seems rather rushed, and the love story jigs to its uplifting conclusion.

The whole shebang is a testament to the enduring script from the 70s original, brought to life by a cast that oozes chemistry and a set of musical numbers that never fall short of iconic. This deserves to be seen by die-hard fans and newcomers in equal measure.

Jayd’N Tyrone & Phoebe Roberts

Grease is at Bristol Hippodrome on September 16-21 at 7.30pm with additional 2.30pm shows on Wednesday and Thursday. Tickets are available at www.atgtickets.com.

All photos: Marc Brenner

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