“exceeds expectations as a musical parody”
” good, dirty fun”
4 out of 5 Stars
The Grease Lightnin’ Drag Show
Umbrella Revolution, Garden of Unearthly Delights
Thirty years after John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John turned the musical Grease into a box office smash, Danny and Sandy are back on stage in a new production. But you’ve never them like this before… massive hairdos, screamingly loud costumes and tonnes of makeup… and that’s just the blokes.
But then this is The Grease Lightnin’ Drag Show. Goody two shoes Sandy isn’t what she used to be – she’s gone up about five dress sizes, has a permanent scowl and seems strangely keen to meet up later with a man in the front row. Hilarious before she even utters a word. But then there’s not a lot of words uttered – this is a drag show and true to the style it’s all mimed. But don’t let that put you off, it means all the songs you secretly know every word to – Summer Lovin’, Hopelessly Devoted to You, You’re the One That I Want – are the original film versions.
The show also includes dialogue from the film, but it’s given new, funny meaning through the crude interpretation put on it in this production. For example, the scene involving bad girl Rizzo and beauty school dropout Frenchy giving Sandy an ear piercing involves a rubber sex toy! It might sound crass but it’s all in good humour and the audience laps it up.
Of course, it’s essentially a boy meets girl love story revolving around Rydell High rebel Danny Zuko and his gang the T-Birds, along with Danny’s love interest Sandy and her friends the Pink Ladies.
The six “drag queens” bring their characters to life with energy, enthusiasm and a healthy dose of sexual innuendo. They do an impressive job getting through so many costume changes, which combined with the dance routines, lightning and sound keep the audience entertained and the action moving.
One of the highlights was Beauty School Dropout with solid choreography and great use of sequins and feather boas. The dialogue in the audio clips taken from the movie was difficult to understand at first, but seemed to improve during the performance. The writers of this adaptation have thrown in references to modern films and reality tv shows, so there are jokes for everyone.
The creators have also been liberal with the soundtrack, which features all things pop and is not restricted to songs from the musical. Tracks like Let’s Get Physical, Macho Man and I Go To Rio are used to good effect. One of the best scenes has to be the Bandstand Dance Off which features almost every dance fad imaginable, from the Bus Stop and Chicken Dance to the Timewarp and Macarena.
Don’t expect polished dance routines and immaculate costuming – after all, this is a Fringe show, not the Adelaide Festival. The Grease Lightnin’ Drag Show exceeds expectations as a musical parody. It’s good, dirty fun.
If you’ve never seen drag before then why not take up Sandy, Rizzo and Frenchy’s offer of an all-girl sleepover? Or let Danny and Kenickie give new meaning to drag racing. You won’t regret it.
Anything but a drag!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Reviewer: Adam Joyce
http://www.freshfm.com.au
Reviews – Fresh FM
Grease Lightnin’ Drag Show
Reviews - Grease Lightning Drag Show
“exceeds expectations as a musical parody”
” good, dirty fun”
4 out of 5 Stars
The Grease Lightnin’ Drag Show
Umbrella Revolution, Garden of Unearthly Delights
Thirty years after John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John turned the musical Grease into a box office smash, Danny and Sandy are back on stage in a new production. But you’ve never them like this before… massive hairdos, screamingly loud costumes and tonnes of makeup… and that’s just the blokes.
But then this is The Grease Lightnin’ Drag Show. Goody two shoes Sandy isn’t what she used to be – she’s gone up about five dress sizes, has a permanent scowl and seems strangely keen to meet up later with a man in the front row. Hilarious before she even utters a word. But then there’s not a lot of words uttered – this is a drag show and true to the style it’s all mimed. But don’t let that put you off, it means all the songs you secretly know every word to – Summer Lovin’, Hopelessly Devoted to You, You’re the One That I Want – are the original film versions.
The show also includes dialogue from the film, but it’s given new, funny meaning through the crude interpretation put on it in this production. For example, the scene involving bad girl Rizzo and beauty school dropout Frenchy giving Sandy an ear piercing involves a rubber sex toy! It might sound crass but it’s all in good humour and the audience laps it up.
Of course, it’s essentially a boy meets girl love story revolving around Rydell High rebel Danny Zuko and his gang the T-Birds, along with Danny’s love interest Sandy and her friends the Pink Ladies.
The six “drag queens” bring their characters to life with energy, enthusiasm and a healthy dose of sexual innuendo. They do an impressive job getting through so many costume changes, which combined with the dance routines, lightning and sound keep the audience entertained and the action moving.
One of the highlights was Beauty School Dropout with solid choreography and great use of sequins and feather boas. The dialogue in the audio clips taken from the movie was difficult to understand at first, but seemed to improve during the performance. The writers of this adaptation have thrown in references to modern films and reality tv shows, so there are jokes for everyone.
The creators have also been liberal with the soundtrack, which features all things pop and is not restricted to songs from the musical. Tracks like Let’s Get Physical, Macho Man and I Go To Rio are used to good effect. One of the best scenes has to be the Bandstand Dance Off which features almost every dance fad imaginable, from the Bus Stop and Chicken Dance to the Timewarp and Macarena.
Don’t expect polished dance routines and immaculate costuming – after all, this is a Fringe show, not the Adelaide Festival. The Grease Lightnin’ Drag Show exceeds expectations as a musical parody. It’s good, dirty fun.
If you’ve never seen drag before then why not take up Sandy, Rizzo and Frenchy’s offer of an all-girl sleepover? Or let Danny and Kenickie give new meaning to drag racing. You won’t regret it.
Anything but a drag!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Reviewer: Adam Joyce
http://www.freshfm.com.au
By • OurReviews