Just under three weeks to go, and East Gippsland’s theatre-lovers are jumping online to book tickets for Grease, the latest musical to be staged by Bairnsdale Production Line Theatre Co at the Forge Theatre.
The show’s cast and production team are delighted at the early response at the ticket-box, and are quietly confident of yet another successful season with the famous fifties-style pop-rock musical.
“We’ve been rehearsing, building sets, gathering props and making costumes since before Christmas”, said Grease director David Cubley, “but now everything is coming together and we’re gathering momentum for the final run to opening night – and it’s looking brilliant”.
Production Line has for two decades been steadily building its reputation for quality entertainment, offering all the essential elements of community theatre: the highest production standards, whilst offering on- and off-stage experience for everyone, from complete novices to veterans with decades of experience in amateur and professional theatre.
“Grease is a prime example”, says Mr Cubley. “With our skilled choreography team led by Casey Davidge and Shawna Bartlett, working alongside a brilliant musical trio in Victoria Shaw, Bek Axe and Maddie Clark, we’re able to showcase the talents and abilities of everyone, regardless of whether this is their twentieth show or their first. And that means we’re building on our strong foundations for East Gippsland theatre into the next twenty years”.
The on-stage version of Grease offers the best of both worlds for fans, incorporating a number of hits from the famous movie version that were not included in the original musical. The large pit band that will pump out the backing music will be supplemented by an innovative move for Production Line – a pit choir providing essential backing for the on-stage singers throughout the show.
Throw in close to thirty artists on stage, and a small army of backstage helpers, and Grease promises to be a huge show in more ways than one.
Grease comes to Bairnsdale with a gala opening on Friday May 6th, then a further nine shows over three weekends. Bookings are available via the Forge Theatre website or directly here.
