Grease is the word, all over again

GUARDIAN At the launch of ‘Grease’ in The Dun Mhuire Theatre: Joanna Harrington, Emma Nolan, Anne Gayer, Jonny Smith (choreographer), Meadhbh Honahan, Jennifer Nolan, Hannah Scully and Niamh Cullen. IT’S a special year for Oyster Lane Theatre Group who are reprising their production of ‘Grease’ 25 years after staging it during their very first year in existence.

The 25th anniversary show will run in Dun Mhuire Theatre from Monday, October 21 to Sunday, October 27, finishing with a matinee performance with a cast including Adrienne Meyler, Aileen Sutherland, Brandon Cogley, Dara Cullen, Dylan Walsh, Eilish Coady, Emma O’ Leary, Hannah Scully, Luke Spellacy Shaw, Michael Carroll, Michael McKenny, Michael O’Gorman, Mick Farrell, Neal O’ leary, Niamh Cullen, Ruth Donegan, Ryan Kavanagh, Thomas Furlong and Tony Carty.

The launch reception in Dun Mhuire was attended by cast and crew members who received good luck wishes from guest speaker and Deputy Mayor of Wexford, Cllr. Maura Bell.

Another special guest was the Wexford singer and wellknown chef, Tony Carty who Larry Gogan guests at the launch of Oyster Lane Theatre Group in 1994: as reported in this cutting from the Wexford People. Members of the OLTG ‘Grease’ cast of 1994, including Tony Carty (Danny Zuko) and Sharon Clancy (Sandy). Thomas Furlong (Danny Zuko) and Niamh Cullen (Sandy). played ‘Danny Zuko’ in the the group’s original production of Grease in 1994.

The cast were also delighted to receive good luck messages from famous faces such as Adam Garcia who played ‘Doody’ in Grease on the West End, Jennifer Zamparelli from RTE 2FM and Olivia Newton-John, who played Sandy in the original Grease movie.

Oyster Lane Theatre blends youth with experience and a large number of young people have flourished in the group during the past quarter of a century.

There is an emphasis in Oyster Lane Theatre on incorporating youth in all areas of theatre including backstage, front of house, make-up, committee and the Junior Task Force who help The cast of Oyster Lane Theatre Company’s 2019 production of ‘Grease’. with organising fundraisers, thereby preparing them for committee work in the future.

Some of those who cut their theatrical teeth with Oyster Lane have since moved on to a national and international stage, including Michael Londra, Sharon Clancy and Love/ Hate’s Charlie Murphy.

The group’s first show was followed over the years by ambitious productions such as Jesus Christ Superstar, the Irish premiere of All 4 One which brought praise from the composers and awards from the Association of Irish Musical Societies and family favourites such as Oliver, Beauty and the Beast and My Fair Lady. The origins of Oyster Lane date back to late 1993 - after a wrap party for Wexford Pantomime