29 July,2010 09:53 AM IST | | Priyanjali Ghose
Put on your dancing shoes for this vibrant tale of youthful love and rebellion in the adaptation of the famous Hollywood flick Grease
No messages and no sermons only pure fun is what they promise to give you this weekend. If walking past splishy sploshy puddles isu00a0u00a0 driving you nuts, take the monsoon in your stride and catch the musical Grease staged by Cause Foundation this weekend. This might just be that perfect antidote for the gloomy weather you've been longing for.
Based on the famous Broadway musical and Hollywood film Grease starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John, the play is a depiction of the various nuances attached to young love and American music in the 1950's.The play also features some popular theatre faces like Neville De Nazareth, Niharika Parthasarathy, Arvind Kasthuri and Prem Koshy.
"The play has no profound message. It is a vibrant musical about music, dance and love. We don't want to preach anything," says Leila Alvares, the director of Grease.
Insisting that theatre is not always about serious plays giving out messages, Alvares says, "I have a very young cast comprising people from all walks of life. We will be happy if you are happy when you are leaving the auditorium."
One summer in America, two teenagers Danny and Sandy meet each other at the beach. The two hopelessly fall in love and return to their respective lives carrying the beautiful memories of their short rendezvous. But soon they land up in the same high school as leaders of two fighting groups.
While Danny is the leader of the T-Birds, a group of black-jacket greasers, Sandy hangs out with the Pink Ladies, a group of pink-wearing girls.
Though they like each other, the difference in their cultures and upbringings create a drift. The play depicts an era in America in the 1950's, when the working class youth also known as Greasers brought in a subculture. Moving in gangs with bikes, and applying grease to hair became an expression of rebellion for the youth.
Alvarez, who brings the spirit of the era on stage says, "We had to tone down the script about as there were issues and languages which we felt would be difficult for many Bangaloreans to digest. But we have also introduced some new dance pieces."
The play, like the film, chronicles an era that will always be remembered because of its class issues, rock n roll and pace. Enacting hits like Greased Lightning, You're The One That I Want, Summer Nights among others, the play is a story about the joys and pains of a high school romance.
Dealing with issues like teenage pregnancy, teenage dilemmas and existing social standards, Grease comes across as a vibrant and colourful expression of young love in the bygone era.
At Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Malleshwaram
On from July 30 to August 3, 7.15 pm
Call 98800 36611
For Rs 500, Rs 300 and Rs 200
