Seen at the New Theatre, Oxford during its UK tour, this latest production of Grease could justly be described as definitive. First seen in 1971 in Chicago, and set in 1959, Grease is the first of the high-school musicals and came to prominence of course because of the highly successful film. Unlike that film, where actors in their late 20s or even 30s portrayed teenagers, the cast of this revival are mostly new to the profession and therefore not too many years older than the characters they portray.

The New Theatre was packed for this performance, with a crowd who knew all the familiar songs from the film. They were not disappointed, but they will also have been introduced to quite a few songs from the original stage production, many of them not as well known to audiences. The show is all the better for that, and for using more of the original, less sanitised script and retaining, for example, Sandy’s Polish American origins. It still all ends very rapidly and slightly unsatisfactorily, but the ensuing megamix gives the audience the opportunity that they were waiting for, to join in with all the numbers they have enjoyed for so many years.

As Danny Zuko, Marley Fenton looks the part and gives a thoughtful performance opposite Hope Dawe’s strongly sung Sandy Dumbrowski (although her eventual appearance in black leather seems something of an anti-climax as staged here). The Burger Palace Boys (given their original name in this production) are strongly cast, with Kieran Lynch shining as a yearning Doody, always looking for a way out and up. It was perhaps unfortunate that their identical costuming made it difficult to tell the others apart when seen from the further reaches of the theatre. The Pink Ladies are even more memorable, perhaps because their characters are more clearly defined, with Alicia Belgarde as Frenchy particularly catching the eye.

As Rizzo, Rebecca Stenhouse takes her character seriously and is a worthy successor to the many performers who have played this role, from Sally Ann Triplett to Rosie O’Donnell. Also making a mark are Phoebe Roberts as the slightly prim Patty Simcox, Dominique Planter as Miss Lynch, and particularly Joe Gash as Vince Fontaine and the Teen Angel in a performance of astonishing energy and commitment.

That energy and commitment is a mark of the whole production which features some of the best choreography (Arlene Phillips) to be seen on any current tour. The production benefits greatly from having a choreographer who understands the period in which the piece is set. On a long tour, however, standards need to be maintained and that has certainly been the case here. Kudos then to Resident Choreographer Carly Miles and Dance Captain Thomas Inge for their work, both performing as swings at this performance.

With Charles Ingles driving the tight eight-strong band, mostly invisible to the audience in this theatre, and impressive design (Colin Richmond) and lighting (Ben Cracknell), the other key asset here is director Nikolai Foster, who understands musical theatre. His expertise shows in every decision; the timing of light and set changes, the building of numbers and the ferocious pace which is set from the beginning and maintained throughout.

A strong revival then of a show that is something of a period piece, but delivered here with love, commitment and great expertise by a talented young cast.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Chris Abbott

Grease plays at New Theatre Oxford until 28 September, and continues its tour until mid-November. For more info, please click here.