Grease the Immersive Movie Musical

Grease the Immersive Movie Musical presented by Secret Cinema and TodayTix

Greased Lightning strikes again; and electrifying, immersive experience you’ll never forget

This was my first Secret Cinema event, and from what I gather, the format has evolved somewhat from earlier productions. In this version, you are firmly an audience member, though there is strong encouragement to dress the part. Outfit suggestions are sent to your booking email and can also be found on the website. I didn’t spot anyone out of place in ‘regular’ clothes, everyone had made an effort to join in the fun.

You’re greeted with a large Rydell High sign as you enter, and as you progress further into the venue, the atmosphere builds instantly. You’re met with the fairground and kiosks, just standing there and watching people’s faces light up as they recognise iconic landmarks (including the famous Shake Shack) is a joy in itself.

There’s plenty of food and drink on offer, all keeping within the 1950s theme, though with more dietary-friendly options than you’d have found back then. The queues for drinks did move slowly, which might be something to factor in if you’re planning your evening. The fairground features a range of rides, including a big wheel and chair-o-planes, all designed to set the tone thanks to the brilliant work of designer Tom Rogers. Before you even make it inside, you’re mingling with actors in character who’ll chat with you depending on the ‘clique’ you’ve dressed as, already setting the immersive tone.

On the large outdoor screen, we get a welcome announcement for our first day of school and a cheeky reminder: “Be cool, no phones in school” though photography is permitted in the fairground area.

Stepping inside was pure joy. We went straight up at first and saw the gym, then turned a corner and walked down the bleachers into the main arena. It was a delight to spot all the fun, themed locations throughout the venue, with the raised main gym forming the centrepiece. I’m usually good at spotting hidden set pieces, but there was so much happening that I missed one major transformation; when it revealed itself, I was genuinely taken aback in wonder. At the far end sat the drive-in, featuring the front ends of cars with working headlights, creating an atmospheric seated dining area.
There were more food and drink kiosks inside, though not quite enough bins, some tables were unfortunately cluttered with rubbish and used glasses.

Participation and seating depend a lot on your ticket type, so it’s worth checking in advance. That said, sometimes there’s room for a few extras, and you might get lucky with general admission. While it’s possible to sit and enjoy the show, the production is clearly designed to be experienced on the move. More than once, I was politely asked to step back to make way for upcoming action, building anticipation and placing you right in the heart of the moment.

Now, onto the performance itself. It’s billed as a ‘movie musical’, but I’m still a little unsure what that means exactly. Multiple screens around the venue play the film; at times they switch to B-roll or live feed of the cast and audience, filtered to match the vintage aesthetic. I had mixed feelings about this. On one hand, it’s a lovely nostalgic nod, and impressive to see the cast mirroring the film so closely in movement and delivery. On the other hand, you’ve come to see a live show, and when you’re queueing or sat away from the action, it would be helpful if the screens always showed the live cast, not just the movie. Since the technical setup is already there, alternating content across the screens would improve visibility without compromising the vibe.
The musical numbers come thick and fast with no interval. An intermission might be appreciated, simply to give people a chance to rest and soak it all in.

The cast are outstanding, many of them, thanks to costume and wigs looking uncannily like their on-screen counterparts. Stephanie Costi as Sandy possibly sounds more Australian than Olivia Newton-John! All songs are performed live, and while I’m unsure whether every line of dialogue was too, it certainly felt like the majority was.

Directed by Matt Costain with choreography by Jennifer Weber, the fidelity to the film is quite remarkable. Some edits have been made, and a few moments, particularly involving the Scorpions, could be confusing if you don’t already know the plot. I noticed that for “Greased Lightning”, they opted for the PG lyrics similar to Grease Live, which was an interesting choice. Moments later, Liam Morris as Danny was gyrating and thrusting like he was in Magic Mike suspended in the air, it looked amazing, but jarred slightly with the family-friendly lyric choice. That said, the number itself was phenomenal. The choreography was slick, dynamic, and visually inventive, including the famous cellophane work and, of course, the car.

Some of the T-Birds wore collarless leather bomber jackets rather than the traditional motorcycle style, which felt a bit off given the production’s attention to detail. But I did love that co-costume designers Susan Kulkarni and Martina Trottman included the blue Thunderbird on the jacket an often-overlooked detail that fans will appreciate. Yes, they are T-Birds, not Burger Palace Boys.

The dance contest scene was another standout. Leah Dane as Cha-Cha delivered a fantastic routine with Morris, full of lifts and spins. The audience were encouraged to join in with the Hand Jive. It seemed people weren’t entirely sure if they were allowed to sing along for every number. On my visit, only a handful did, perhaps more encouragement would help here.

Another shoutout to Tom Rogers for the imaginative ways the cars were brought to life, there were the red and white versions, one of which was essentially a puppet, and it worked brilliantly.

As the show came to an end, we were taken back outside to the funfair. Now fully lit under the dusky sky, it looked magical. Famous final scenes were recreated, this time with lyrics projected clearly for a big sing-along, and the audience were absolutely buzzing.

Photos Credit: Luke Dyson