Grease as performed by Craic Theatre

CRAIC THEATRE COALISLAND

GREASE

4TH – 14TH April with no-shows on 8th, 9th, and 10th.

ADJUDICATION PERFORMANCE 13TH APRIL 

Where do I start with this journey to Coalisland and to Craic Theatre? Another little place hidden away amongst a load of buildings, that in no way looked like I was in theatre land, and then in the glimpse out of the corner of my eye, I saw this theatre. This stage was so gorgeous, so quaint, with so many memories for many people. The audience's reaction to the performance was an exact testament to the quality of the production. They brought the house down. The front of the house was alight with queues, noise, and buzz, and I could not have asked for a nicer seat. I was looked after impeccably. This theatre is SO well used; everyone seemed to mill around so comfortably as if it was their home. From chatting later with some patrons, I was told this building was, at one stage, a cinema and had always been a huge part of the community. It all made sense. 

Producer and Director was Sean O’Neill. Mr O’Neill focused on the high energy and nostalgic charm of the 1950s. The staging was thoughtfully arranged to maximize the use of space, creating lovely dynamic scenes that flowed smoothly from one to another. The choice of casting was apt, as each character embodied their character's true essence and core, bringing a lovely authenticity to the production. The set design was very detailed and creative especially Rydell High. Brilliant. Under Mr. O’Neill’s direction, there was a lovely balance between comedy and many of the story's more sensitive and emotional sides, which was very well maintained throughout. A great job overall especially considering Mr O’Neill took on the choreography too. 

Musical Director Roisin Corr, who also served as Chorus Mistress and Conductor, demonstrated exceptional skill in directing the musical aspects of this production. The vocal performances were a testament to her direction and leadership, with harmonies that beautifully showcased the sizeable vocal range of the cast. The balance between Orchestra and ensemble was meticulously maintained, ensuring neither overshadowed the other. As a Musical Director, her direction was vital in keeping the story's pace, energy, and cohesiveness. The iconic numbers such as “Sandy,” “You Gotta Shape Up,” and “Beauty School Dropout” were orchestrated to perfection, adding a punch to the bold sound that echoed the excitement of the T Birds. The softer moments were underscored beautifully by the gentle woodwind and strings, bringing out the emotional depth of the production. 

The choreography was also done by Sean O’Neill as mentioned and the dance was excellent. The cast's energy and precision was a joy to see. There was so much energy, and the choreography was so well-suited to the era of the show. “Greased Lightning” and “We Go Together” were so impressive, featuring complex dance routines performed with precision and flair. For example, the cast executed a series of intricate lifts and spins in perfect synchrony, showcasing their exceptional dance skills. It was difficult not to clap my hands and stamp my feet in the dance numbers throughout. The choreography and its energy bounced off the walls of the Theatre, giving this lovely atmosphere of “being a part of,” it was adorable to be in the audience watching this troupe consistently perfect their routines. Mr O’Neill you excelled in this area, well done.

The Stage Manager was Cara O’Brien. The sets were good, but this cast still made it look bigger with such a small stage, even when they were all on it simultaneously! Rydell High, The Burger Joint, and a car garage were pivotal in the story and looked great. The transition between the sets was smooth and fast, and a lovely flow was maintained. For instance, the set for Rydell High was meticulously designed to resemble a typical 1950s high school, complete with lockers, a basketball court, and a stage for the school dance. The attention to detail in the set design added to the authenticity of the production and enhanced the audience's immersion in the story.

The lighting was good. Lighting changes as part of the story made a positive difference from the fabulous use of spotlights, colour washes, and softer, warmer lights for the indoor scenes, and the starker lighting for the outdoor or daytime scenes was so well done. For example, smooth, warm lighting during the romantic scenes between Sandy and Danny created a cozy, intimate atmosphere. In contrast, the use of bright, stark lighting during the school dance scene added to the excitement and energy of the moment. 

The sound system was robust enough to handle the dynamics of the vocals. The sound and its proper use here elevated the production consistently, with radio mics and choral sound giving excellent sound, increasing the output of the whole company. 

The costumes, hair, and makeup were well thought out and executed. The cast looked the part, with stylish and authentic costumes to the era. The T-Birds and Pink Ladies were especially noteworthy, with their leather jackets, poodle skirts, and bobby socks. The costumes for the school dance scene were also very well done, with the dresses and suits looking particularly elegant.

The props used were well-chosen, adding to the show's authenticity. From the jukebox to the vintage cars, the props were all carefully selected to reflect the period and setting of the story. Handheld microphones and radios also added to the show's overall feel, with the cast using them to significant effect throughout. For instance, the jukebox was a central prop in many musical numbers, adding to the nostalgic charm of the 1950s setting.

Aaron Rooney played the part of Danny Zuko. Mr Rooney was a charismatic and confident Danny Zuko, and his portrayal of this character included lovely direction in being a natural leader in his acting. Mr Rooney was compelling in his role, had fantastic chemistry, and played the romantic scenes with sensitivity and grace. Their rendition of "Summer Nights" was just excellent! He brought a fresh, modern interpretation to the role while maintaining the character's charm. Mr Rooney was full of energy, enthusiasm, and charisma, making him an absolute delight to watch on stage. His singing was on point, and his rendition of the iconic songs "Summer Nights" and "Greased Lightnin'" were excellent. Great performance. 

Katie O’Neill played Sandy Dombrowski's part. Ms O’Neill brought a perfect blend of innocence, & vulnerability, and yet strength to the role, effectively capturing the character's essence and personality. She demonstrated great vocal control and range, quickly hitting the high notes and delivering the emotional depth of the character's songs. I will add that Sandy's role was a standout feature of the production. Her acting and vocal skills impressed me; her performance was a production highlight.

Laura McGuckin played the part of Betty Rizzo. What a sassy and rebellious attitude and her powerful vocals in "There Are Worse Things I Could Do" were simply gorgeous. Rizzo is one of the most complex characters in Grease, and I was pleased to see Ms Guckin portraying her very well. Her performance of "There Are Worse Things I Could Do" was a standout moment of the show, bringing the audience to tears with her raw emotion and stunning vocal performance. 

Frenchie, played by Ellie Taggart, brought so much energy and liveability to the stage, and her performance of "Beauty School Dropout" was excellent. Her facial expressions and body language truly conveyed her many emotions and added to a fun element of the show. Additionally, Ms. Taggart's vocals were a joy to listen to, particularly in the iconic "Beauty School Dropout" scene. 

Rebecca Hanna played Marty Maraschino's part. Part of the Pink Ladies. She was a bubbly, flirty, and sassy character who added a lot of fun and energy to the production and portrayed a confident demeanour. She also shone in the ensemble numbers, adding a lot of energy and attitude to the Pink Ladies' scenes. A significant part played very well. 

Aoife Corr played the part of Jan. Ms Corr perfectly captured her quirky and bubbly personality. Her comedic timing and unique take on Jan's character delighted the audience. Her performance in the musical numbers was lovely. Ms Corr was a genuinely standout character in the production, a pleasant, funny, and friendly young lady with a gorgeous stage presence. 

Shea Brady played the part of Kenickie. Cool, calm, authoritarian, charismatic, and with a swagger are words I would use to describe Mr Brady in this role. I loved Mr Brady's casual swagger, confidence strides, and song with the T Birds.” Greased Lightnin” was pure stardom in this number in vocals, agility, and movement. 

Daniel Taaffe played the part of Doody, and boy, did I laugh. His superb comedic timing was impeccable, and his interaction with the other characters on stage was joyous. He had a strong and clear voice and confidence. All aspects of his role were done with such precision and flair that they were imposing.

Cathair Brady played the part of Roger. Roger was a fun-loving character who brought a lot of energy to the stage. One of the T-Birds gang and has a fabulous stage presence. Mr Brady did a great job portraying Roger's carefree and playful nature, and his performance during the musical numbers was super. 

Canice McIlvenna played the part of Sonny. As part of the T-Birds gang, Mr. McIlvenna has a lovely, outgoing personality and can make people laugh. His portrayal of Sonny was spot-on, and there was a beautiful charm about this gentleman on stage. Constantly cracking jokes or dancing up a storm, Sonny was always entertaining to watch, and I loved each time he arrived on stage. This was a lovely performance from start to finish. 

Grace McKenna played the part of Patty. Ms McKenna did a great job of bringing out Patty's personality, and her performance during the musical numbers was well done. Whether singing or dancing, Ms McKenna was always a joy to watch.

Holly McCann played the part of Cha Cha. A very flirtatious dancer who caught the eye of many male characters with a dramatic and passionate appearance, Ms McCann did a great job portraying Cha Cha's seductive personality, and her dancing was particularly impressive. Ms McCann looked the part, acted the part, and danced beautifully. Bravo. 

Dylan Fox played Eugene. He was such a nerdy character who was often teased by the other characters, yet I was drawn to this young man because he acted this part so well. Despite the teasing, he had a kind heart and a love for science. Mr. Fox did a great job bringing out Eugene's awkward and endearing personality, and his performance during the musical numbers was especially memorable. Eugene was a lovable character who added a lot to the production. 

Johnny Casino, played by Michael Clements, was an absolute standout. The energy and enthusiasm he brought to the stage as the Johnny Casino and the Gamblers band leader were infectious. His rendition of "Born to Hand Jive" was a highlight, with his impressive vocals and dynamic dance moves getting the audience up and dancing along.

Mark Shields played the part of Teen Angel, and this gentleman did an excellent job of capturing the character's flamboyance and larger-than-life personality. His performance of "Beauty School Dropout" was a showstopper, with his smooth vocals and suave dance moves wowing the audience.

Miss Lynch, played by Tracy Timlin, was a delight to watch. She brought a touch of strictness to the role of the school principal but also showed a softer side in her interactions with the students. Her comedic timing was impeccable, and she had the audience in stitches with her dry wit and sarcastic one-liners.

Finally, Michael Morrow played the part of Vince Fontaine. A lovely, smooth, talking, somewhat sleazy character living as a singer embodying the commercial side of the rock and roll era. Mr Morrow, in this part, was a memorable character, effectively capturing his charisma and yet oily charm. This was a class role played so very well by Mr Morrow. 

The Chorus Mistress was Roisin Corr. The chorus created a lovely, bustling atmosphere of Rydell High and its surroundings. The significant musical numbers such as “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin,” and “We Go Together” where their involvement helped amplify the mood and excitement. This group had lovely cohesion; they blended vocally very well, and the chorus had gorgeous, tight harmonies. There were lovely instances where the energy and the harmonies lifted off the stage, and the numbers were consistently energetic and vibrant. This theatre lent itself beautifully for your sound, your harmonies, and, of course, the Sound team themselves; however, it was apparent that lots of time, went into the Chorus, which paid off. Well done 

I had a fantastic time watching this production, It was just an all-around great time! Fantastic choice of show for you as a group. I love the sense of community in this town, especially in this Theatre. I had an enchanting evening with you all, and as I had travelled from Cork and was at the show alone, I haven’t talked as much in a long time; such was your welcome. So thank you. It was simply a pleasure to be your Adjudicator.

Caroline Daly Jones

Sullivan Adjudicator 2023 / 2024