BHS GREASE

From January 30th to February 2nd BHS students presented their annual secondary school production, which this year was ‘Grease’. The musical is set in a 1950s high school and features the romance between greaser Danny Zuko (Emma O’Donnell) and proper Sandra Dumbrowski (Sophia Marshall).

‘Grease’ was notably a secondary school production with cast members ranging from age ten to 18. Furthermore all dances were choreographed by students Jessica Sinclair and Alison Lamb. They spent many lunch-times in rehearsal, choreographing and teaching the dances, using the movie and other interpretations of the musical for inspiration. Alison says her favourite dances were the ‘Hand Jive’ and ‘We Go Together’.

After previously playing Peter Pan and Freddy Enysford-Hill in ‘My Fair Lady’, Emma took on another male role to play Danny, the leader of the Burger Palace Boys. Emma enjoys a challenge and explains how she had to learn to “stand, speak, gesture and sing” like a boy; not to mention dancing like a boy, as Emma’s favourite scene was the Prom.

Sophia Marshall auditioned for the school play for the first time this year and was chosen for the lead female role of Sandy. Her favourite songs were ‘Freddy, My Love’, sung by Leah Amaral and ‘Those Magic Changes’ sung by Hannah Lampit. She couldn’t believe the support she received from the cast and will “definitely” audition again next year.

Madeleine Rose, who played one of the Burger Palace Boys, says that the long rehearsals were stressful but it was rewarding to see “the show actually come together”. She adds that her favourite night to perform was on Friday when the “crowd was full of laughs” and the enthusiasm made her want to put “more and more energy in” to show the crowd “just how good you are”.

Director, Jane Thorpe, said: “ ‘Grease’ is a fun energy musical which the students have been keen to do for years. The cast worked really hard and had fun along the way. They were very committed, which is part of the success of the show. I was very proud of the production they created.”