Grease is the word for young performers

Sunday 01 March 2020

Grease will be sliding onto local stages twice this year, with two talented young performance groups slicking their hair back and slipping into Pink Lady jackets.

Jersey Youth Performing Arts (JYPA) is this weekend holdings auditions for the play, which will be shown a the Arts Centre from 14 to 17 October.

The charity, which helps young people between the ages of 9 and 18 access performing arts irrespective of their background, says it's expecting over 100 people to come to the auditions this weekend.

Pictured: JYPA during a rehearsal for another show.

Only a lucky 50 out of the 100 will be picked to be involved in the final show.

Run by volunteers only, the charity provides free monthly workshops facilitated by industry professionals and the opportunity to take part, both on stage and/or backstage, in at least two productions per year.

Many of the successful auditionees had received no formal training and had only limited exposure to the performing arts through the school curriculum.

Pictured: Both performances will be taking place at the Arts Centre.

But for islanders who can't wait until autumn to experience the well-known love story of Danny and Sandy, which is based on the 1978 film starring Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta, the musical will also be taking to the Arts Centre stage next week.

“Grease was chosen as it provides the pupils with challenges in regards to acting, singing, choreography and costumes,” Headmaster Mike Rees explained.

Noting that some students are more comfortable with performing than others, he added: "...It has been particularly rewarding to see the support they have given to their peers, some of whom will be performing in a theatre for the first time."