Grease (The Young Ones)
So Rydell High has decamped to the salubrious surroundings of Netherton Arts Centre for just a few days and as MD Nick Jeavons strikes-up the overture, I could feel the buzz of anticipation from family and friends of The Young Ones. Deep breath as the curtain opens and I started searching for the 'bar', no not the one that serves the drinks but, the one set so incredibly high by Katie Woolman's choreography as the cast stylishly fill the relatively compact stage with some highly coordinated moves and sounds (I challenge anybody not to hum along, Grease is the 'word' after all).
Stage Crew (Team Hazelwood) under the direction of Stage Manager, Stewart Homer, transfer us seamlessly to the bleachers and cafe tables of Rydell High and we are slowly introduced to the principal cast. The Pink Ladies, a quietly smouldering Rizzo from Mia Price, Shannon Lee's vivacious Marty, the food focused Jan from Niamh Walker and the arrestingly likeable Frenchy by Izzy Westley-Smith, individually with their own strengths but, together a force to be reckoned with there is no doubt.
Where there are girls there has to be guys and they are the T-Birds, Joseph Neal as a cool and confident Kenickie, Luey Pearce as the quick witted and verbally adept Sonny Latierri, the nervous yet lovable Doody by Charles Hale and Thomas Homer as 'mooning champion' Roger (known to his friends as 'Rump' for obvious reasons). Individual character portrayals are again stunningly accurate and as a team, The Flaming Dukes are probably quaking in their boots.
What, I hear you say, of the Romeo and Juliet of this piece, well I have bought myself some time to try and find the right adjectives to properly and adequately do justice to Alex Cook as Danny Zucko and Alex Cooper as Sandy Dumbrowski, I'm just not sure that excellent or outstanding are quite at the right level, so let's go with astounding, I don't think there is much else that needs to be said about these two local stage regulars, it's obvious why they get lead roles time after time.
Of course it isn't all about the leading parts, there are so many other performances to enjoy, Owen Bradley's comic antics as Eugene, Heather Hadley as the unashamedly enthusiastic Patty Simcox, Amelia Roper as the only teacher to make an appearance, the domineering Miss Finch, the silkily suave Vince Fontaine played by Nathaniel Buffery, Laya Wood's dance sensation from St Bernadette's Cha Cha DiGregorio, the imaginary dream sequence Teen Angel by Daniel Cowdrey, Mark Bramble as dance band singer Johnny Casino and an array of other youngsters without named parts but, equally important to the show.
If you are looking for highlights you could pick almost anything throughout the production but, if I am pressed I would suggest you watch out for a particularly emotional rendition of 'There Are Worse Things I Could Do' from Mia Price and a soulful performance of 'Beauty School Dropout' by Daniel Cowdrey.
Managed to grab a few words with debut Director/Producer, Carl Cook before the show, normally on stage with numerous local societies, he was definitely feeling the nerves more from the other side of the curtain but, he had nothing to worry about and I have no doubt will be asked back to bring another production to the stage for The Young Ones at some point in the not too distant future.
Rumour has it that tickets for the remaining performances of this run which finishes on Saturday 16th February 2019 are as rare as girlfriends queueing-up to go out with Eugene, so grab one if you can.
Book Here
Stage Crew (Team Hazelwood) under the direction of Stage Manager, Stewart Homer, transfer us seamlessly to the bleachers and cafe tables of Rydell High and we are slowly introduced to the principal cast. The Pink Ladies, a quietly smouldering Rizzo from Mia Price, Shannon Lee's vivacious Marty, the food focused Jan from Niamh Walker and the arrestingly likeable Frenchy by Izzy Westley-Smith, individually with their own strengths but, together a force to be reckoned with there is no doubt.
Where there are girls there has to be guys and they are the T-Birds, Joseph Neal as a cool and confident Kenickie, Luey Pearce as the quick witted and verbally adept Sonny Latierri, the nervous yet lovable Doody by Charles Hale and Thomas Homer as 'mooning champion' Roger (known to his friends as 'Rump' for obvious reasons). Individual character portrayals are again stunningly accurate and as a team, The Flaming Dukes are probably quaking in their boots.
What, I hear you say, of the Romeo and Juliet of this piece, well I have bought myself some time to try and find the right adjectives to properly and adequately do justice to Alex Cook as Danny Zucko and Alex Cooper as Sandy Dumbrowski, I'm just not sure that excellent or outstanding are quite at the right level, so let's go with astounding, I don't think there is much else that needs to be said about these two local stage regulars, it's obvious why they get lead roles time after time.
Of course it isn't all about the leading parts, there are so many other performances to enjoy, Owen Bradley's comic antics as Eugene, Heather Hadley as the unashamedly enthusiastic Patty Simcox, Amelia Roper as the only teacher to make an appearance, the domineering Miss Finch, the silkily suave Vince Fontaine played by Nathaniel Buffery, Laya Wood's dance sensation from St Bernadette's Cha Cha DiGregorio, the imaginary dream sequence Teen Angel by Daniel Cowdrey, Mark Bramble as dance band singer Johnny Casino and an array of other youngsters without named parts but, equally important to the show.
If you are looking for highlights you could pick almost anything throughout the production but, if I am pressed I would suggest you watch out for a particularly emotional rendition of 'There Are Worse Things I Could Do' from Mia Price and a soulful performance of 'Beauty School Dropout' by Daniel Cowdrey.
Managed to grab a few words with debut Director/Producer, Carl Cook before the show, normally on stage with numerous local societies, he was definitely feeling the nerves more from the other side of the curtain but, he had nothing to worry about and I have no doubt will be asked back to bring another production to the stage for The Young Ones at some point in the not too distant future.
Rumour has it that tickets for the remaining performances of this run which finishes on Saturday 16th February 2019 are as rare as girlfriends queueing-up to go out with Eugene, so grab one if you can.
Book Here
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