Review: GREASE The Musical at The Regent Theatre*

The Regent Theatre was buzzing last night and the atmosphere was just lightning! The show started with a short poem by local poet Nick Degg, titled The Curtain Rises (Again) followed by a speech by Frazer Hoyle, The Theatre Director, welcoming the audience back to the venue.  I can’t believe it has been 18 months since we attended a Press event at The Regent Theatre and listening to his speech just made me (and I am sure the rest of the audience) emotional.

I was so glad to be back at the Regent Theatre and they could not have picked a better musical to start with.  GREASE The Musical is set in 1959 in the fictional Rydell High School, Chicago and this revival of the production follows the stories of the high school students and their experiences as they figure life out.  You will see the familiar Pink-Ladies and the Burger Place Boys or T-Birds featured in the production.

Produced by Colin Ingram, the story centres around Danny Zuko (played by Dan Partridge) and Sandy Dumbrowski (played by Georgia Louise) who met last summer by the beach and how their relationship progresses a year on as they attend Rydell High.  Both Dan and Georgia are such talented actors and have beautiful singing voices.  The musical features much-loved songs such as Greased Lightnin’, Summer Nights, Hopelessly Devoted To You and You’re The One That I Want amongst many others as well as some new ones added to the mix.

It is a fantastic group of of cast and their talent shines through as each of them brought something different to the show. I loved the bitchiness of Betty Rizzo (played by Tendai Rinomhota) and the comical acting which Roger (Josh Barnett) and Jan (Maeve Bryne) brought to the show as well as the powerful vocal of Marty (played by Inex Budd) when she sang Freddy My Love with Frenchy (played by Marianna Neofitou) and a few others.

The audience were excited and they looked like they were ready to break into song and dance and I don’t blame them.  I grew up watching the movie Grease and still think that it is by far is one of the best films I have watched as a kid and to see it being performed on stage was just mesmerising.

I was expecting to see more of Sandy and the storyline between her and Danny develop but this is a more modern, edgier GREASE than I am used to, yet it has captured the story wonderfully with the help of the beautiful set and lightings.

A huge shoutout goes to Kim Bladon and the wardrobe team for doing an excellent job in picking the right outfits for the cast. We were just oohing and aahing as we admired the stunning dresses and leather jackets being worn by the actors.  Need I say that the choreography by Arlene Phillips was exceptional and the cast executed it perfectly.

Jacob Fisher did an amazing job in getting the crowd riled up with his role of Teen Angel and Vince Fontaine but Peter Andre will be reprising these roles on some of the show dates.  Other stand out actors include Kenickie (played by Paul French), Sonny (played by Cristian Zaccarini) as well as Doody (played by Alex Christian).

40 years on, Grease the Musical is still much loved but both the older and younger generations and this was seen last night at The Regent Theatre with a mixed aged audience.

What an atmosphere it was! All I can say is Grease is the word!

How much do the tickets cost?
Tickets are priced at £13 to £68.50, subject to a transaction fee of £3.65

How do I book tickets to watch Grease?

Tickets are now on sale and available from the Box Office, by calling 0844 871 7615 or by visiting ATG’s website here.

When is the show?

The show will be on until Saturday, 4 September 2021. Evening shows are at 7.30pm while the matinee shows will be at 2.30pm on Wednesday and Saturday.  Please check The Regent Theatre’s website for full details on timings.

• Parking is ample either around the public car parks close to The Regent, but do check the rules. Some parking lots might need you to pay even at night. We parked up at intu Potteries and that cost us £1 (its fixed rate after 6pm).
• Programme Booklets are usually on sale for £5, full details of the show and cast members are featured on it.
• The Regent is a beautiful theatre with ornate decor and traditional seating. It has plenty of performances out throughout the year and lots of variety.
• On arrival at the theatre there are nine steps leading from the front doors to the foyer. There is a small lift suitable for wheelchairs and buggies
• There is lift access to all levels from the foyer (with an audible announcer)
• There is an infra-red sound enhancement system in the auditorium
• Guide, hearing and other working dogs are welcome in all parts of the theatre, and water is provided for them on request
• Accessible toilets are available

About Regent Theatre

The Regent Theatre is a theatre in Stoke-on-Trent, England. Constructed in 1929 as a cinema, it is one of several theatres in the city centre and one of two owned by the Ambassador Theatre Group. The building was converted for full-time use as a theatre in 1999, and since then has hosted a number of shows and musicals. The theatre is also the northern base for the Glyndebourne Touring Opera.

You may want to read this:

Review: Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap at The Regent Theatre

Review: Legally Blonde The Musical arrives at The Regent Theatre

Review: Shrek The Musical arrives at The Regent Theatre

Photo credit:  Regent Theatre/Ant Robling/Manuel Harlan