Grease previewed

Well if my nerves were anything to go by, I'm sure the ACTUAL cast members were a bit apprehensive of the first show!........ I met Rachel outside Burger King (classy!) at 7pm and we made our way round to the theatre!....... Gosh I was feeling queasy!

For some reason we were delayed going into the theatre, maybe some last minute checks?......... We finally got in about 7.20ish and took our seats......... Front row baby!

Once you're in the Theatre you hear the music, just a little something to get you in the mood! The audience seemed pretty enthusiastic so I was prepared for a good show!.

The band started up a bit late, around 7.40ish and played a sort of medley to start everything off.........

First up and on stage was Danny, who got a very enthusiastic cheer from the crowd!........ To start proceedings off with a sample of Sandy, closely followed by Susan (Sandy) another cheer! The song went down very well and both were sounding very clear, great harmonies and loud!.

Then The Company with Grease Is The Word, great dancing and got me jigging in my seat! Rachel and I were at this point trying to spot Siobhan in the cast who was giving it loads near the back in a lovely peach skirt!

We then go on to the canteen scene when Sandy meets the Pink Ladies and Danny hooks up with the rest of the T-Birds......... This is when we start to see the acting side of the new Sandy and Danny and the rest of the cast.

During the scene I thought that Susan did a great job, her accent and acting were great. Danny on the other hand although he moved well during the scene and his acting was ok his accent I thought needed more work........ Not fully into the US accent yet. I thought anyways....... You also have to smile when Marty is on stage!....... I dunno who taught her to speak the way she does but its really funny!, really exaggerated sultry and smouldering is the only way I can describe it!. We're also introduced to Rizzo (Jade Westaby), Frenchy (Alana Phillips), Jan (Laurie Scarth) and Patty (Siobhan Dillon). In particular I thought Frenchy was great and Patty when she came onto the stage all enthusiastically and bouncy and her facial expressions were funny!. The T-Birds Kenickie (Sean Mulligan), Doody (Lee Martin), Sonny (Bennett Andrews) and Roger (Richard Hardwick). All the guys did really well but I thought that Kenickie and Sonny needed to work on their accents too, seemed to slip a bit for me........ I must also mention Eugene (Tim Newman), looks perfect as nerdy Eugene and his timing and general vacant behaviour was funny.
After this first meeting we're treated to Summer Nights again performed by all the cast which was again performed really well.......

We then get Doody and Those Magic Changes CCCCCC, AAA A Minor, FFFFFF, GGG G7......... You get the gist! He did this really well and got lots of giggles from the audience!........ Watch out for the screaming girls too, its quite funny!........

We then proceed the the girls bedroom for Freddie my Love (which is still going round in my head today!) and Look at me I'm Sandra Dee........ I noticed as they were changing the scenery for this scene, a few wobbles!.......
Marty did a good job in Freddie my Love accompanied by lots of dancers in nighties, amongst others was one Siobhan!...... I thought Rizzo also did a great job in Look at me, her voice was really good.

We then have another swift scenery change to the Garage and Greased Lightning, I liked the way that they did this with the dancing on the cars and Danny playing the guitar, but unfortunately wasn't that impressed by Kenickie (sorry!). He seemed to me to be shouting some of the lyrics to the words and losing his accent along the way. This just could be down to first night nerves and I'm looking forward to seeing it again to see if it changes.........

Probably one of the scenes I enjoyed the most from the evening was the Rydell Fight Song.......... Enter Sandy avec pompoms trying her cheerleading skills! - pretty funny! Followed by a baton twirling Patty! (wonder how long it took Siobhan to master that!) and Danny (not twirling batons!). A funny scene ensues and Danny ends up with the pompoms (looking lovely Danny!). Full marks go to Sandy and Patty in this scene, really well done and funny!. Well it made me giggle anyways!

Last songs before the interval were Mooning sung by Jan and Roger, Ahhhh sweeeet!. Both of them sounded quite good although Roger sounded a little stretched on a couple of high notes but that again could have been down to first night nerves.........
Then We go Together on the bleachers, wow! Loved this! - it sounded great as well!. I can remember seeing the original at the Dominion in 94 and I loved the choreography on the bleachers, still do!

INTERVAL........... At this point I must just apologise to Rachel and my two other friends that were with me for my Siobhan raving!........ I was a bit enthusiastic about her performance in the first half! BUT it was great, I'm sure Rachel will agree!......... Oh and also one of my mates spots Delta Goodrem in the audience with Bryan's two girls!........ More of that later!

Ok, on we go!..........

The first scene of the second act is at Rydell and the Dance!....... Shakin at the High School Hop from The Company was great, the group singing, the dancing! ........ One noteable moment was between Eugene and Patty!....... I don't think I should tell you what happens as it would spoil the laugh but my god it was funny! I must also comment on Siobhan's face pulling!. She does really well with expressions!...... Eugene trying to put his arm around her at the dance and her REMOVING it, several times!
We then go onto It's Raining on Prom Night which again was done really well. The harmonising between Sandy and Jan I thought was really good, they both sounded great!.
Another fave of mine too........ The Hand Jive, again I really loved the dancing in this one. The whole cast must have practised this soooooo much!, it was so slick!.
Then the last scene from Rydell is Hopelessly Devoted to You.......... I was very interested to see how Susan coped with this......... Well after a minor bum note right at the beginning I'm pleased to say that she TOTALLY nailed it!

We then switch scenes to the Burger Palace and Beauty School Dropout........ For some reason I'm not a big fan of this, I don't like it in the film either!. It did go down well with the audience though although I didn't think Jason Capewell that plays Teen Angel/Vince Fontaine was particularly amazing, cheesy yes but not amazing!........ I think however that as its the first preview we can assume that it will get much better. Will be looking to see how it improves.........

After this was probably my least favourite scene in the whole show........ The Drive In......... I thought Susan did a great job acting this scene but Danny was a bit wooden, I'm sure after a few shows their chemistry will get better but I didn't think Danny's acting was very convincing. He did however do a fantastic job of Sandy and sounded great!.

Not long to go now!.............................

The Garage!. When Rizzo discovers she maybe pregnant........... There are Worse Things I Could Do, again really great job, she has a really good voice!. Good acting during the scene and then onto Look at Me reprise with Sandy sounding great!

Finally!. Inside the Burger Palace......... You're the One That I Want, I liked Danny exclamation "SANDY!" it was almost John Travolta! Again I was impressed by the dancing and the rest of the ensemble cast. Sandy and Danny sounded great during the song and had people clapping along in the audience!.

The Finale........ or should I say Megamix!. Here we're treated to all the faves! along with cast taking their bows! Right in the finale we get possibly Patty's (Siobhan's) only solo singing line!, part of the Rydell Fight Song!. She did good!, slight problem was when she got off the Burger Bar counter Siobhan hit Eugene in the face accidentally!. We could see him holding his face as he went off the stage followed by a worried looking Siobhan! I'm not sure if we saw him again but Siobhan appeared a few seconds later counting herself back in!. Apparently she said she was supposed to be on piggy back but accidentally hit him by mistake!.
Anyways the cast got enormous cheers at the end!. They all did so well!

Overall I'm so pleased I saw the show, there are some bits that need working on......... Some of the scenes didn't seem to be flowing as well as they could of and the acting from some cast members needs improving, there were also some sound issues when the microphones were not on in time for some of the cast. I think this will probably be ironed out after the first few shows though.......... I'm also worried that Susan may not be able to cope with 8 shows a week, she has a pretty voice but I'm just not sure on the strength (or should that be robustness, if there is such a word!), I suppose only time will tell on this one......... Having said that the whole show is cheesy as anyone who's ever seen Grease will know!. If you're looking for fun and frolicks on a night out at the Theatre and something to sing along to and jig in your seat......... WELL you can't fail to have a GREAT time!

Must just mention that after the show Rachel and I, plus my two other friends helped Delta look for her mobile phone that she lost during the show!, she's such a sweet girl. Although Bryan's children were playing her up a bit!. Grandma sorted them out!

Oh and also must just mention that in the second half a fight broke out in the Circle!, have no idea what about but it was right in the middle Beauty School Dropout (I think). It was quite funny with lots of shusshing etc!, dunno how the cast didn't get put off by it!........

Oooh also forgot to mention that for the Understudies as Followmyrainbow wanted to know.........
Understudy for Sandy: Siobhan Dillon/Charlotte Bull
I presume it means Siobhan is first cover and then Charlotte?........ Hope that helps!