The well-loved musical Grease, that was due to tour in 2020 but had to be postponed due to COVID-19, comes to the Festival Theatre next month. It will be the first big musical to be performed on Capital Theatre’s stages since the first lockdown and the first new production in 25 years of the iconic show from the pens of Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey.
Grease originally opened in Chicago in 1971, followed by a move to Broadway in 1972, where it received seven Tony Award nominations, including one for Best Musical. During its eight-year run back then, little known actors including Peter Gallagher, Patrick Swayze and John Travolta all appeared in the production, with Richard Gere understudying many roles before going on to star as Danny Zuko in the 1973 London premiere.
The 1978 film adaptation, that celebrated its 40th anniversary this year, starred John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John and is the fourth highest-grossing live action musical of all time, sealing its place in the hearts of fans old and new who will be able to enjoy numbers such as Summer Nights, Greased Lightnin’, Hopelessly Devoted To You and You’re The One That I Want.
Dan Partridge reprises the role of Danny, having played the role on the UK and Ireland tour in 2019, while Georgia Louise plays Sandy, with Paul French as Kenickie and Tendai Rinomhota as Rizzo. They are joined by Alex Christian as Doody, Josh Barnett as Roger, Inez Budd as Marty, Maeve Byrne as Jan, Marianna Neofitou as Frenchy, Corinna Powlesland as Miss Lynch and Cristian Zaccarini as Sonny.
The cast also comprises Alishia-Marie Blake, Thea Bunting, Kevin O’Dwyer, Laura-Jane Fenney, Jacob Fisher, Elliot Gooch, Dom Hutcheson, Haroun al Jeddal, Kalisha Johnson, Hannah-Faith Marram, Matt Trevorrow and Jacob Young, who join the previously announced Peter Andre as Teen Angel and Vince Fontaine on certain performances. Please check the Capital Theatres website for specific dates.
This production of Grease is directed by Nikolai Foster and choreographed by Arlene Phillips, with designs by Colin Richmond, orchestrations and musical supervision by Sarah Travis, lighting design by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Tom Marshall and 2021 tour casting by Kay Magson CDG, with original tour casting by David Grindrod CDG. It is produced by Colin Ingram, InTheatre Productions, Donovan Mannato, Playing Field, William Sinclair, Hunter Arnold, Araca and Curve.
This 2021 tour started at Curve, Leicester in July and Edinburgh performance dates are: Monday 27th September to Saturday 2nd October 2021
Evenings 7.30pm, Matinees Thursday and Saturday 2.30pm
Booking available at Festival Theatre Box Office
Telephone 0131 529 6000 or at Capital Theatres website.
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 