GREASE – Mulwaree High School

Possibly one of the most over-utilised phrases in theatre reviews is this… “Grease is STILL the word.”

It’s a tempting phrase to use. It plays on the famous tagline “Grease is the word” and acknowledges how great and popular a show Grease is, how it features so many great and memorable songs and quotes, and how it has stood the test of time. It also supports a well-worn theatrical cliche that “you can’t do much wrong with Grease.” 

But the cliche’s wrong. Like that equally flawed pub bistro logic that you can’t go wrong with a chicken schnitzel. I have seen and eaten some absolute crimes and atrocities committed against schnitties over the years. Just because schnitties (and Grease) are beloved and bring a certain amount of audience good-will with them, doesn’t mean fans are ready to accept anyone butchering them.

And I’m getting off track and delaying my verdict… but I just wanted to mention the stakes. It’s not just a case of `perform Grease and it will be good.’ You have to earn it. Expectations, nostalgia and fondness are rightfully high. 

With the Mulwaree High School production of Grease currently being performed at GPAC, I’m happy to say those expectations are exceeded, and then some.

In other words, Grease IS still the word. 

There’s so much to rave about in this show, let’s get into it. Let’s start with the staging. Chef’s kiss. I’m a huge fan of putting the band on the stage (even tried it on some times) and it works beautifully here where the band, a mix of students and staff, are not only tight pro-quality muso’s, but also add a wonderful performative element to the show. Incidentally, just on the band, and I’ve seen and been involved with sensational drummers in lots of shows, but (partly due to the performative role of the band) the performance by drummer Amelia Attard is THE. BEST performance by a drummer in any local show I’ve seen in all my sixty years. And didn’t I see her in Simple, True and Lovely last year? Versatile!

But back to the stage. The black and white lino-like checkerboard squares on the floor of the stage that you’d find in any fifties and sixties themed diner… like Bernies in Moss Vale, or Rockabilly in Bathurst… or… God I miss sixties diners…but it just looks and feels right. Well chosen, directors. Add to that the modular bits that are brought out to be tables, and beds, and chairs and you name it, and it’s a very adjustable and versatile stage. And the Rydell sign in the background adds its influence to the scenes as needed. I’d have to say this is my favourite set for a Grease production I’ve seen, and I’ve seen a bunch.

The performances were exactly what this production needed to equal the brief before them. Vibed, enthusiastic and very highly skilled. Now, in coming days when I’m abused for doing this, I am saying sorry in advance. I’m going to name a few performers … and apologies that I wont get everyone and I’m working without notes and I am quite old and my memory grows dim… but the alternative to name no-one seems empty. Whether I name you or not, you were great!

The leads were particularly well cast…Good actors, but also very strong singers. Olivia Pratt, one third of the eugenics-program factory-designed multi-talented Mulwaree triplets, starred as Sandy and displayed a beautiful mellow lower register and a soft, sweet vibrato at the top end (especially evident in “Sandra Dee reprise”). Caleb Rauch as Danny struck me as a little shy but he needn’t have been, showcasing impressive range and strength and a beautiful baritone voice particularly on show in “Stranded at the Drive In” and other songs.

Sophie Pratt, another of the three sisters but not the ones from Macbeth, shone as Rizzo and was one of the actors that really drew my attention every time she was in a scene. She has a very palpable presence, was a standout out in the dancing on top of her acting and singing and I think we were all robbed that this junior version doesn’t include her solo “There are worse things I could do.” 

Another that stood out in all her scenes was Alyia Blay as Patty Symcox. Just as annoyingly big a personality as the role required and she was pumping out the energy even when she stood still. Possibly even my MVP for the whole show.

Another I’d seen in a few shows before was Briella Thibaud and I think this is the best thing I’ve seen her in. I really enjoyed her song “Freddy my love” but also thought she has developed very strong comedy chops. All of the Pink Ladies gave us great, memorable performances.

I was super impressed by the guys, particularly knowing just how hard it can be to get young blokes acting and singing. They all allowed themselves to be doofuses and misogynist clowns but with arcs that leaned towards just enough growth. 

I was glad that the stage version elevates Kenickie’s role, played by Simon Walshe, to what it was before Greased Lightning was stolen (STOLEN I say) in the movie and given to some heart-throb called John Travolta even though his character Danny never sang it on stage… poor Jeff Conway… don’t get me started. Simon is building himself a strong acting resume and he added to it with another strong performance.

Bowdi Pull as Rompo / Roger was another with a great voice and I really liked Max McElligott bringing the guitar into his version of “Those Magic Changes”, still my favourite song in the entire show.

So many good performances. Even principal Sally Curry. As a TREE, no less (seems she will forever be stuck wielding the willow). And making it a family affair, her daughter is a dancing star as Cha Cha DiGregorio. And to anyone I left out, it’s not your lack of skill, it’s my lack of memory of something specific to say. Oh hang on…Rebecca Coulter as Miss Lynch was especially restrained and dry. Like… a teacher who wasn’t angry, but was just disappointed. God that used to kill me. I bet she uses that at school, hey kids?

So, a great cast (apologies for the third time if I didn’t name you).  But all of that means nothing in this particular show without colour and movement. Fantastic bright period costumes and enthusiastic dancing an choreography fill up the other essentials for this show. I especially loved the first act closer, “We Go Together”, and “Hand Jive” really builds and delivers for anyone waiting for that big Grease moment. And did I mention the drummer already?

This is a quality show. And above all else it’s joyous. And it’s a joy that you’ll get from genuinely young actors, and in community theatre, more than I believe you’ll get from a professional production.

For people of… a certain age… who grew up on Grease when it first came out, and heard it on the Top 40 for months on end, and saw the movie 100 times, and sang the songs up the back of the City View bus until they were told to stop… is this getting a bit too self revelatory…this show is a sacred artefact. It’s also an ANCIENT artefact that in two years time turns 50. Which is insane because when it came out it was set 20 years in the past which seemed at the time to be so long ago that dinosaurs walked the Earth.

It’s also now a DATED artefact. Because as much as we may love Olivia Newton-John Travolta (as their combined entities should be renamed) and their fantastic performances as thirty-somethings pretending to be teens as we suspended disbelief and said, “ok… I’ll buy that…” the fact is it’s ABOUT young people, and surviving school, and learning to be better to each other, and starting to eventually make better choices. And those arcs are best told by people experiencing that. And I thought they were.

Something I say a bit… I’m aware this is community theatre and I make no suggestion that this should be judged against professional productions, but geez there were so many bits I enjoyed more. I make this point a lot, but it deserves repeating… when you see performers in a community theatre performance… they may be 9-5 accountants or nurses or tradies… or students…and you see them using these abilities that they never get much of a chance to showcase in their day to day lives. And they JUST. BLOODY SHINE. I guarantee you that when you see this show, you will be seeing the best day of one or several of those performers lives. It’s a genuine privilege. And as I’ve said in detail above, they’re also bloody good so you wont be disappointed.

Congrats to co-directors Michelle McAleer and Jade Pratt (the third part of the soon to be world dominating Pratt Troika) for an amazing effort. Who knows which of them did what, but it has clearly been an effective partnership. The band placement, the casting, the set, the choreography… and many of these are obviously decisions that OTHER creatives have delivered, so congrats to everyone involved… but so many choices that made for a great show. It must be frustrating for Michelle who loves nothing more than to slide a song into a dramatic play, only to have a show where all the songs are already chosen, but I did notice her sliding in her trademark 6-7 reference again. I saw it, Michelle! It’s a thing now.

Particular congrats to Mulwaree High School for placing such a high priority on drama and public performances, and for ensuring they are of such high quality. It’s an example to other schools and I hope once again the CAT Awards have a look at this show because I feel they may list you all prominently for the second year in a row.

Normally when I write a review it’s in the hope it may sell some tickets. I think all but a very small handful of your tickets are sold, so from that perspective my review here is redundant. But I don’t care. I had a ball.

Grease IS the word. Still. Congrats.