Grease (Tour – Newcastle)

Grease is back in town and the audience claps, cheers and waves their arms above their head, even before the overture is finished. Once his orchestra is revealed, high up at the back of the set, Musical Director, Barney Ashworth, kicks the show off by ensuring the audience joins in from the start. While we are very familiar with the story of Grease; Danny trying to retain his tough guy image at High School, while really wanting to build a relationship with straight laced Sandy. It is the score that makes the show, with musical numbers that include “Summer Nights”, “Greased Lightnin’” and “Hopelessly Devoted To You”.

However, this tour of Grease also proves the worth of the TV talent shows, as the three best performances are all from performers who became familiar through such media. Danny Bayne brings his own unique refreshing style to the role of Danny, a role he won on The ITV show Grease is the Word. Likewise, Kate Somerset How, was a finalist on the same ITV programme, and as Rizzo, stops the show with her rendition of “There Are Worse Things I Could Do”.

But, the biggest applause were rightly saved for 2010 X Factor finalist Mary Byrne as Teen Angel (Russell Grant plays the role next week) who looked extremely comfortable as she belted out “Beauty School Drop Out”. I can already see her as a future Mamma Morton in Chicago.

However, Carina Gillespie appeared uncomfortable as the straight laced goody two shoes Sandy, but finally came into her own once she had captured her man in the routine “Your The One That I Want”.

This tour of Grease is a great night out, with a terrific young cast who are well drilled in the Arlene Philips choreographed musical numbers. So sit back and enjoy.