They want to be the ones that we want...
The Kings Theatre is heading back to 1959 for its Easter community production – Grease.
Following the success of last year’s sell out run with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, this year we’re invited to Rydell High where Danny Zuko spends a passionate summer at the beach winning over the heart of Sandy Dumbrowski, the new girl in town.
As the new semester begins, feelings cross over with popularity status and the two must work out if their love or their high school clique is most important.
Director Nick Williams describes himself as “big fan” of Grease, having played Kenickie in a previous production. He says: “It will have all of the songs people know from the film – let's be honest, when people go to see Grease in the theatre, they want to see something like the film. John Travolta, Olivia Newton John – that kind of take. We've tried to stay as true to that version as possible
“I've always had a strong affiliation with the show, and as soon as we started working on this project, I had it clear in mind how I wanted it to be. The whole piece has come together exactly as I imagined it.”
Jacob Bailey has the unenviable task of stepping into John Travolta’s shoes as Danny, but he had great fun doing a day of promo around Southsea recently with co-star Poppy Bailey (no relation) who plays Sandy.
“I felt like a rockstar!” he laughs. “It was pretty cool – people were taking photos and stuff.
“Back when I was 13 I did a youth production of Grease where I was one of the ensemble, now skip to almost 10 years later, it's great be going on as the lead man. I'm very nervous, but very excited. I don't think anyone can compare to John Travolta – he's incredible.”
And Poppy has a link to Grease too – her sister has been part of the cast in The West End. “She's been giving me lots of hints and tips.
“And it's one of my mum's favourite films, so she had the songs on all the time. I've known the songs for years it's going to be so much fun doing them on stage.”
It is at The Kings from April 9-14. For tickets go to kingsportsmouth.co.uk.