GREASED Lightning cruised into Ipswich on Saturday night, with Ipswich Musical Theatre Company opening its latest production to a sellout crowd.
There is plenty to like about this big, bustling production of the much-loved musical Grease, particularly its energetic ensemble, choreography and a handful of performances that threaten to steal the show completely.
For the T-Birds, that honour belongs to Oliver Edgar as Kenickie.
Edgar attacks the role with swagger, confidence and plenty of personality, to the point where more times than not I found myself questioning who the real leader of the T-Birds was supposed to be.
His rendition of Greased Lightnin’ was one of the night’s genuine highlights.
Even an unfortunate slip on the steps during the number couldn’t derail him.
Edgar bounced straight back up, fed off the audience and belted out the song’s big notes with even more energy.
Sometimes live theatre gives you those unscripted moments, and the recovery told you plenty about the performer.
Among the Pink Ladies, Jaime O’Donoghue delivers the night’s other standout performance as Rizzo – doing justice to one of Grease’s most memorable roles.
Then there is River 94.9’s Greg “Hinksy” Hinks as king of the airwaves Vince Fontaine.
It is masterful casting for a minor role compared to other cast members and as one of the region’s favourite sons he looked at home bringing his natural charisma to Fontaine. Some bought tickets specifically to see Hinksy.
The choreography is another major strength and with a large cast filling the stage, the production is at its best when everybody is moving, singing and throwing themselves into the spectacle ala Born To Hand Jive scene.
Unfortunately, the motor doesn’t always run as smoothly between those big moments.
Continuity is a fickle beast, and this production occasionally struggles to find a consistent rhythm or sense of direction.
The stage version is a different beast, but the rearrangement of familiar songs, some numbers appearing at very different points in the story and the absence of moments synonymous with the movie made the narrative surprisingly difficult to follow at times.
There are flashes when this production absolutely fires particularly when Edgar, O’Donoghue, and the ensemble are given room to let loose.
But for mine, the engine never quite roars consistently enough.
There is plenty of Greased Lightnin’ under the bonnet however I just wanted the production to put its foot down a little more often.
Rating: 3 out of 5
