**** (4 stars)
“A joyous nostalgia filled production!”
Following their debut in 2024 with an excellent production of “Legally Blonde” Edinburgh based Find Your Light productions return to the church hill theatre with their 2025 production of Grease. Giving themselves just two weeks to mount and stage a fully produced book musical.
This year they tackle a show that’s eternally popular with local companies the 1971 musical which would gather global success as a motion picture in 1978 and the company prove that Grease is still the word and delivering a joyous nostalgia filled production.
This well paced and excellently co-directed production from Stephen Graham Martin and Hannah Ferrier Baker featuring stealthy choreography from Charlotte Henshall puts performances at its heart yet still delivers big musical moments thanks to its well drilled cast.
The 40 strong ensemble deliver in spades especially the principal cast with Ethan Reilly and Emila Smart taking on the titular roles of Danny Zuko and Sandy Dombrowski and they deliver charming performances with impressive vocals to match. They carve a unique take on the characters that doesn’t rely on the well known Travolta and Newton John performances and make the characters their own. Special mention must go to Ruaridh Laidlaw as Eugene his comedy timing is second to none and he shines especially in the moments where his visual comedy sails across the footlights. An additional special mention must go to James Gilbert who led the company in last year’s legally blond and returns in the guest roles of Vince Fontain and Teen Angel respectively. His performance captures from the off and he proves just how good his vocal abilities are.
Production wise the company have made the very best of the intimate space of the Church Hill Theatre with a creative set that brings the world of Rydell High to life, and this is boosted by a terrific lighting and sound design from MM Sound and Lighting. Miranda Burns also brings style to show with a faultless costume design.
We were lucky to see a special preview performance ahead of the opening night and the only real criticisms that could be resolved is the majority of the cast just need to slow the pace, let the comedy land because directors Graham Martin and Ferrie Baker have given the show a real comedy heart and it’s a shame not to let the audience get the chance to enjoy those moments fully.
Find Your Light was born out of a wish of the performers who come from across the portfolio of parent company SJM productions to take part in a full book musical and the company continue to impress as they empower the next generation of musical theatre performers to reach their potential and that has to be applauded.
Find Your Lights production of Grease truly delivers a quality night of musical theatre from a cast who truly shine on stage, and they shine all the brighter thanks to the professional theatre makers who are working hard to produce the show.
So, what you waiting for? Grab those last remaining tickets and find out for yourself that thanks to Find Your Light, the Grease is still very much the word!
Find Your Light presents Grease, Church Hill Theatre, Edinburgh runs until Saturday 19th July for more information and tickets go to https://fienta.com/s/grease
ScotsGay Arts 