Grease at Gala Theatre, Durham Review
Written by Stacy for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
From the first beat, this production of Grease burst onto the stage with an infectious energy. The buzz in the room was palpable and it never really let up, helped along by a cast who clearly relished every moment of being on stage. It felt joyful, confident and eager to entertain, which is exactly what you want from a show like this.
In terms of storytelling, I did feel there was a missing step in the emotional arc between Danny and Sandy. Traditionally, the stage version offers one of two important moments. Either Sandy goes to the dance and sees Danny dancing with Cha Cha, or she stays at home and sings “It’s Raining on Prom Night”, voicing her fears that Danny does not feel the same way. While these options create slightly different emotional journeys, they both serve the same purpose in building tension, heartbreak and misunderstanding between the pair. By skipping both, this production removed the emotional catalyst that makes Sandy’s journey fully land. As a result, “Hopelessly Devoted to You” arrived without quite the dramatic grounding it usually carries, and Sandy’s transformation in the finale felt more abrupt than earned. Without that emotional pinnacle, the narrative briefly felt fragmented, though the overall warmth of the production helped carry it through.
The direction by Sarah Johnson and Michael Nevin delivered some genuine highlights, particularly in the larger ensemble scenes where the staging felt bold and assured. There were moments, however, where certain scenes could have benefitted from a little more pace and a clearer sense of light and shade in tone. Even so, the overall shape of the production remained engaging and accessible, keeping the audience firmly on side. A stand out for me was the choreography by Beth Dench and Ellie Crow. Together, they created several memorable moments, full of character and sharp musicality. It was clear the cast were fully committed to the physical storytelling and individual personalities shone through with sound technique all round. The dance sequences were lively and consistently entertaining which added a real texture to the show. It was also a joy to see a live band, and under the musical direction of Ben Armitage, they did a stellar job. They drove the show with confidence, giving the score real punch while remaining sensitive to the performers on stage.
Vocally, the cast were wonderful across the board, all performing with strong presence and commitment. Max Hildred brought confidence to Danny, while Mathilda Ketterer’s Sandy was warm and vocally assured. Jobe Hart’s Kenickie stood out particularly for his impressive dance technique, while Talia Tobias as Rizzo delivered beautiful emotion in “There Are Worse Things I Could Do” that genuinely stopped the room. Joe Wilson as Roger and Lucy Rogers as Jan were hugely appealing, with Rogers in particular drawing me in whenever she was on stage. Louis Williams as Doody and Connie Richardson as Marty added colour and character, rounding out a strong principal cast. I must also give a big shout out to Archie Elliott as Teen Angel for creating my favourite moment in Act 2 - where milking your moment turned into an art form. The ensemble as a whole created high energy and cohesion, and together they filled the stage with life, creating a world that felt vibrant and fully lived in.
This was a high-spirited, feel good production that delivered infectious energy, strong performances and standout moments. DULOG has created a joyful celebration of Grease that is the perfect pick-me-up for this dreary January.
★★★★