REVIEW: Grease: The Arena Experience

Grease: The Arena Experience

It’s review time again!! This time on my radar, none other than Grease: The Arena Experience!

Now we all know Grease. Movie, Classic! Musical, Classic! Arena Experience? *Shrugs*

Now for some context, this version of the film that captured the hearts and rock & roll groove of the 70s and 80s is not new. The show has been around for a while, taking its inspiration from Grease: The musical. So one of the main things the cast and directors of the spectacular would have to tackle was to be the unique location of Qudos Bank Arena.

Did the musical use the distinctive stage well?

I must say the musical definitely blew me out of the ballpark with many moments! Choreography, singing and that revolving stage! My attention was captured…even with the drunkards sitting, laughing, participation in non-intellectual conversations behind me.

Let’s start with the choreography of the ensemble. Hundreds of kids were employed to dance and bring to life the classic storyline. In their adorable costumes, it was hard not to sit back and smile. The execution brought from these kids really was the driving force of the entire musical, definitely bringing everything together in the best of ways.

Being a kid who grew up not being able to sit still for even a few seconds, kudos to all those extras, especially in that scene where it seemed like they were participating in their very own Mannequin Challenge.  

Now to the performances of the individual cast members.

There were definitely some highlights, some actors really encapsulating their roles, bringing to life an equally perfect version of the characters from the globally known film. 

My favourite performances from the night would have to include the adorable duo of Putzie and Jan played by Stephen Valeri and Lauren McKenna. Both brought humour and doses of cute to the experience and had me eating out of their hands, for the food and the performances. They both provided the comic relief needed in the most perfect of ways and I couldn’t help but follow them around the stage.

The biggest standout moment however had to be the duet between Sandy (Meghan O’Shea) and Rizzo (Ruby Clark). Worse Things is a classic in the original film, but the vocals and the performance from these two vocal queens created a beautiful moment to witness.

With feminism and female solidarity being a real issue trying to be tackled within the entertainment industry at the moment, the instant Rizzo ties her neck scarf around Sandy really symbolises a lot.

My favourite moment of the entire show. These actresses are definitely ones to look out for in the future of the theatre industry.

Grease: The Arena Experience

Each character had highlights alongside moments that could do with some improvement, however my biggest disappointment resided in that of Danny, one of two main protagonists. While the performance by Damon Wade was not bad at all and did the role justice, I constantly found myself comparing the act to that of John Travolta, and unfortunately it didn’t live up. Whether it be the exaggeration of ‘the walk’, or the weak singing in comparison to the rest of his cast, Wade found himself tragically outshone. With big shoes to fill however, not many could have done as well as he did.

The best performance provided by the leather clad T-Birds would have to have been by Doody played by Barney Reiter as he played his guitar in one of the opening scenes. Captivating in the sweetest way, the entire audience fell instantly at ease and in love with the performance setting the musical off to the start it needed.

All in all, ‘Grease: The Arena Experience’ provided a beautiful and thematic experience. The performances were definitely well rehearsed and charismatic to watch. I was very pleased with the show as a whole, every part complimenting the other. Having such a large arena for a musical could only be described as a challenge and the cast and direction of the musical definitely stood up to it.

Guest performances from the likes of Christine Anu, Beau Ryan and Isaiah really added to the uniqueness of Sydney’s time with the show.

Grease: The Arena Experience

Enjoyable for families and individuals of all ages alike, the musical paid homage to the classic film very well!

Definitely recommendable for a fun night out to get those addictive “Grease Lightning” lyrics in your brain!! 

With tickets still available for Sunday January 21 in Sydney and other dates in other states, don’t miss out!! 

Purchase tickets here

Rating for Meghan O’Shea as Sandy: 8.4/10
Rating for Damon Wade as Danny: 6.4/10
Rating for Chris Geoghegan as Kenickie: 6.2/10
Rating for Ruby Clark as Rizzo: 9.3/10
Rating for Stacey De Waard as Frenchy: 8.9/10
Rating for Lauren McKenna as Jan: 9.5/10
Rating for Emily Monsma as Marty: 7/10
Rating for Barney Reiter as Doody: 9/10
Rating for Stephen Valeri as Roger: 9.1/10
Rating for Michael Nunn as Sonny: 7.5/10
Rating for Bil Heit as Ms Lynch: 8.5/10
Rating for Libby Hendrie as Patty: 7/10

Rating for the entire experience: 8.5/10

– Written by Deli Ratnakirthi

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