Grease

When you hear the words 'Greased Lightning', you can't help but feel the need to dance and sing along to one of the world's most loved musicals. In Phoenix Ensemble’s production of Grease, the cast and crew delivered one brilliant night out.

The set, created to portray a jukebox, invited the audience to be a part of the fun and sing along with a list of the show’s songs as a permanent fixture on the wall. It was easy to enjoy every performance, with Alexander Thanasoulis as Danny and Taylor Williams as Sandy, bringing together the T-Birds lead bad boy and a naive innocent school girl in a typical High School romance. A show isn't anything without the ensemble and there were definitely no small parts in this small venue. A special mention to the charismatic Kenickie, played by local performer Brock Dunstan and the brilliant comedic timing of Brooke Edwards as Patty Simcox.

It was clear in this production that the ensemble were strong and confident together with the T-Birds and Pink Ladies being perfectly cast both individually and during the couples scenes. When Rizzo, played by Rebecca Haining, sings 'There and worse things I could do', goosebumps were instantaneous - a fine example of perfect casting if ever there was one.

It was important to take away from this show just how infectious a united cast was. From the clever coin drop in the juke box to kick start the show, through to the 'Greased Lightning' car and onwards to the live music being played by the cast on stage, Frog Johnson has delivered a performance that Phoenix Ensemble is sure to reap the rewards of in future.

All in all, this performance of Grease is the reason that Amateur theatre still exists. From the minimalistic set, to make room for quick scenes changes and sticking to a jukebox style play list, everything was exactly how it was meant to be. If you haven't booked your tickets, don't miss out!  The season runs until the 5th of December and is guaranteed to make you want to hand jive.

Melissa Bobbermien