Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Cast: Callum Cavanagh, Bridie Flanagan, Michael Twigg, Grace Galloway, Katie Furlong, Hannah Pitt, Kay Nicholson, Peter Meall, Jonathan Marsh, Annie Howarth, Tom Nolan, Eleanor Cooke, Daniel Greenwood, Sarah Dickson.
When the Liverpool Empire Theatre puts on a show that gives the young blossoming talent of Liverpool and its surrounding areas, it really does put on a show. A kaleidoscope of colour catching the very best that was on stage, whether through dancing, singing or acting in this year’s production, the timeless classic Grease. Every single young actor gave their absolute best and gave the audience who turned out in their droves to catch the performance, a taste of what is to come and to reflect that the future of theatre in the city will be in very good hands for a long time to come.
Grease is a great play and a fantastic film and it begs to be performed at any age or level of experience but that in itself causes issues which are tremendous hurdles to get past, especially in performers that are so young. It comes with the baggage of distinct success, the quality of satisfaction burned into the memory of anyone who saw the film up and down the country when unleashed at the cinemas when the country was having hard times and for those who have seen it since it remains a favourite that takes some beating.
However, when you have a great score and a tremendous orchestra to work with, the two hours on stage is unlike anything these young actors will ever experience again and the hard work they put in will stand in good stead for everything else they want to achieve in life, even if they don’t make a go of performance based art again.
The musical tale of when boy meets girl, girl falls for boy, boy freaks out and is wary of what the other so called cool gang will think of him and then does what he can to win her back was captured with teenage glee and an extremely superb work ethic which made the evening very enjoyable to watch and sing along to. There was no doubting that the crowd were relishing the chance to sing softly along to much loved tracks such as Summer Nights, Greased Lightning, the superb Look At Me I’m Sandra Dee and the brilliant Beauty School Out.
Being young should never be a hindrance to giving a very special performance and amongst the very fledgling members of the company who did a sterling job with all the routines, songs and excellent delivery of lines were perhaps defined by those on the fringes of Sandy and Danny’s relationship. The outstanding Hannah Pitt as Marty, the very cool Katie Furlong as the pink haired but golden hearted Frenchy, Grace Galloway given the type of performance that Stockard Channing herself would have been proud of and also Daniel Greenwood as the geeky but sensational Eugene Florczyk all captured the spirit of the play right down to its very core.
Grease certainly is the word and in this performance, it had real style and meaning. Many congratulations to all concerned in getting all on stage involved in a worthwhile and adventurous project.
Ian D. Hall