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 trot out. It plays on the famous tagline “Grease is the word” and acknowledges how 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 … “you can’t go far wrong with Grease.” 

But the cliche’s wrong. Like that equally flawed old saw used in cafes and bistros that you can’t go wrong with a chicken schnitzel. You bloody can! I’ve seen and eaten some absolute crimes and atrocities committed against schnitties over the years. Just because schnitties (and Grease… see … I linked it back) are beloved and bring a certain amount of audience good-will with them, doesn’t mean fans are ready to accept anyone butchering them. In fact, quite the opposite. They can be very protective.

I’m getting off track, 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 this show. 

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

In other words, Grease IS still the word. 

Grease only works if it’s celebratory, joyous and big fun. There are lots of little pieces needed for those theatrical planets to align and for that seemingly simple equation to add up, but this production gets the maths very right.

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 in some shows) and it’s often very good, and perfect here where the band, a mix of students and staff, are not only a tight pro-level ensemble of soundtrack quality muso’s, but they 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 and this isn’t dissing any of them, but the performance by drummer Amelia Attard (partly due to that performative nature of her role) is THE BEST performance by a drummer in any local show I’ve seen in all my years. And didn’t I see her in Simple, True and Lovely last year? Versatile or what!

But back to the stage. The black and white lino-style checkerboard squares on the floor of the stage perfectly evoke fifties and sixties themed diner… like Bernies in Moss Vale, or Rockabilly in Bathurst… or… God I love sixties diners and we need one in Goulburn… and… where was I going? Oh yeah, it sets the mood and 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. Zero notes.

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 what I’m about to do, I will refer back to this apology that I’m giving in advance and and say I’m sorry not to have mentioned EVERYONE but it feels empty to mention no-one, and so armed with the genuine excuses that I’m old and my memory grows dim and I’m working without notes here, whether I name you or not, you were great!

The leads were particularly well cast… strong 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 at the singing caper but he needn’t have been, showcasing an impressive range and strength in his baritone voice that was particularly on show in “Oh Sandy (Stranded at the Drive In)” and other songs.

Sophie Pratt, another of the three sisters but not the weird ones from Macbeth, shone as Rizzo and was one of the actors that drew my attention every time she was in a scene. She has a very palpable presence about her, 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. She provided a convincing rendition of the annoying hall-monitoring swot that would shoot her hand up and ask more questions at the end of the last period of school on a Friday and remind the teacher they forgot to give you homework, all the while with the biggest gosh-darned be-true-to-your-school high school rah rah siss boom bah grin.  Her personality was every bit as big and annoying as the role required and she was pumping out enough energy to power a small town even when she stood still. She was 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 (Rompo / Roger) was another with a great voice and I really liked Max McElligott (Doody) bringing the guitar into his version of “Those Magic Changes”, still my favourite song in the entire show. In fact all of the cast… Madi Walton (Frenchie), Sierra Bridge (Jan), Brad Armstrong (Sonny), Markece Francis (Eugene), Jett Perry (Brusier), Brad Armstrong (Sonny), Chris Paton (Johnny Casino), Matt Farrow (Teen Angel) and Ken McKenzie (Vince Fontaine) … just add so much to every moment they get. Plus the ensemble, plus the featured dancers, plus the aforementioned band. It’s a big, motivated, enthusiastic and skilled production.

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, amiright kids?

So, a great cast (apologies for the third time if I didn’t name you by name).  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. I was grinning like an absolute loon. 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. I am very much NOT at all comfortable with those maths.

It’s also now a DATED artefact. Because as much as we may love Olivia Newton-John Travolta (surely they deserve to be one joined name by now) 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 in this show they were. This production works because it not only engages newcomers to a very simple but infectiously catchy musical story, but it pays tribute to the source material without leaving the experienced Grease fan wanting or thinking about the original.

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 than a major scale touring production. When you see performers in a community theatre performance… they may be 9-5 accountants or nurses or tradies… or students or teachers… but they’ve got these things that they can do that thee world never sees, and you get to see them finally showcasing these otherwise hidden abilities that don’t get a chance to be seen 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 at least one and probably several of these performers lives. It’s a genuine privilege to be in the room for that. And as I’ve said in this review, it’s not just witnessing them feeling good, they ARE bloody good.

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 (presumably they do?) but it has clearly been an effective partnership and speaks to Mulwaree’s all areas theatrical succession planning. The band placement, the casting, the set, the choreography (many of these are obviously decisions that OTHER creatives have delivered under the directors’ brief so congrats to the entire crew) all contributed to the whole. It must be frustrating for Michelle who loves nothing more than to sneak a song into a dramatic play, to have a show where all the songs are already chosen, but I did notice her sliding in her now-trademark 6-7 reference again. I saw it, Michelle! It’s a thing now. Down with the kids!

Particular congrats to Mulwaree High School for placing such a high priority on drama and public performances, for bringing people to the stage that otherwise might not (performers and audiences), and for ensuring they’re performance is of such high quality. They are an exemplar to other schools. I hope once again the Combined Area Theatre (CAT) Awards have a look at this show because I feel they may list many of you prominently for the second year in a row.

Normally when I write a review it’s in the hope it may sell some tickets. This is, however, all but a sell out and I’m so happy for them. As I write this, Friday night is sold out, there’s a couple of dozen still available for the Saturday matinee (seriously, grab them while you can) and just five left for the closing show on Saturday night. And I didn’t even mention yet that tickets are a ridiculous $10 for concessions and members and just $15 for full priced tickets!

Since it’s almost a sell-out, they don’t need my help selling tickets and in terms of sales my review here is redundant, but that’s fine. I had a ball and wanted to thank these guys for that, and acknowledge what they’ve achieved.

They’ve kept the word alive. Grease IS the word. Still. Congrats.

Tickets.