Taieri Musical has staged some outstanding productions in recent years and on Thursday evening at Edgar Stadium, in conjunction with DKCM Ltd, it conquered yet another of the "big ones'' with a fantastic opening night of Grease.
The More FM Arena had been transformed for a season of Grease: The Arena Spectacular, with all the performers literally centre-stage and the audience surrounding them.
Congratulations to directors Douglas Kamo and Tania Graham and production manager Chris Hinch for their amazing vision and drive.
Also Emma Holloway for her energised, imaginative choreography and Jen Hughson for spectacular costuming (sparkles, sequins, gold lurex).
Dave Sparks' immense lighting and visual effects were ideally suited to the venue, with a suspended ever-changing "billboard'' above the action.
Dunedin's Oxo Cubans injected much heart and authenticity into the music (and were never too loud!).
Michael Grant's vocal direction created huge nostalgia, especially for rockers from those raunchy years, as a totally energised cast transported the audience along on a wave of teenage dancing and partying, gyrating with colour and dance through all the twists and turns of hormone-saturated adolescent years.
Highlights were Hopelessly Devoted to You (Sandy), scenes at Kenickie's garage with a gleaming white convertible, Johnny Casino numbers, and of course Greased Lightnin' complete with red rhythmic lighting; the Rock'n'Roll sequence, jive contest, and superb costuming with bubbles for the white angels' chorus.
Principals were Sophie Morris (Sandy), Samuel Armstrong (Danny Zuko), Jason Kerrison (Johnny Casino), Hannah Doogan, Evan Fenemor, Leah Hay, Charlotte Hayward, Jennifer Hughson, Lauren Johnson, Ethan Keenan, Charlotte McKay, Harriet Moir, Bryn Monk, Callum Proctor, Ben Thomas and Taylor Roche.
A dance ensemble and chorus brought the cast total to almost 50.
Grease had its Broadway premiere in 1972 and has triumphed ever since.
With a timeless storyline featuring senior pupils from 1959 Rydell High, it features
so many outstanding top hit numbers and will endure as a favourite for generations.
Memories of Taieri's spectacular season will certainly rock on forever with this cast and the capacity audiences.
- Elizabeth Bouman
Grease: The Arena Spectacular
Edgar Stadium
