Grease
★★★★☆ Slick
Paradise in Augustines (Venue 152): Mon 18 – Sun 24 Aug 2025
Review by Sophie Good
The EU Footlights student cast and crew hand jive their way through the 1950s-set musical Grease in an energetic and fun production at Paradise in Augustine’s for the last full week of the Fringe.
The Footlights are a well established part of Edinburgh’s musical theatre scene, both during the Fringe and through the year. The current company don’t disappoint with their production of the well-loved story about Rydell High and the highs and lows of teenage life.
Emma Bland as Sandy and the cast of EU Footlights’ Grease performing Summer Nights. Pic: Footlights.
Originally written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey in 1971, this updated version includes some additional songs from the 1978 film and all its well-known characters. While the plot and song list are slightly different, with the setting in Chicago, it still follows the romance of the innocent Sandy (Emma Bland) who discovers that her holiday romance, Danny Zuko (Shaun Hamilton), is actually at the same high school.
The friendships and turmoil of the teenagers at Rydell are explored with the Pink Ladies and Burger Palace Boys leading the charge through some great song and dance numbers.
well paced
Directed by Sophie Gent and Tilda Glynn, the show is well put together and paced. A talented band keep the whole thing going with a slick style under musical directors Nonny Jones and Eric Rogers, who do a great job with the score. Choreographers Richeldis Brosnan and Hannah Shaw have particular fun with dance numbers such as Born to Hand Jive.
Shaun Hamilton as Danny in EU Footlights’ Grease. Pic: Footlights
Costume design from Megan Fourie brings the 1950s vibe and some embroidered pink lady jackets. The only slight disappointment is the transformation of Sandy from innocent school girl to rock chick for You’re the One That I Want, which is somewhat understated and not the big ‘wow’ moment that might be expected.
The Footlights are a true ensemble company, and so everyone has a back story and a moment to shine. It’s the character songs which are some of the highlights – including a vocally accomplished and moving version of There Are Worse Things I Could Do – from Darcey Chong as the bad girl with a heart Rizzo.
fresh vintage vibes
Bland brings an endearing almost child-like innocence to Sandy’s Hopelessly Devoted and Mayokun Dosunmu gives a fabulous vocal as Teen Angel in Beauty School Dropout. Other highlights include Fiona Forster who is especially memorable as Patty, a small part but very well done and Minnie Cross as a comical and likeable Jan.
The performances across the board are high energy and well-rounded, and it’s clear that the cast have had fun with this production. It’s great to see so much talent and commitment from a student production of high quality who bring some fresh vintage vibes to the fringe.
Running time: Two hours and 40 minutes (including one interval).
Paradise in Augustines (Sanctuary), 41 George IV Bridge EH1 1EL (Venue 152).
Monday 18 – Sunday 24 August 2025.
Daily: 1.50pm.
Tickets and details: Book here on EdFringe.com.
Book here on EdFest.com.*
Footlights website: www.edfootlights.com
Facebook: @edfootlights
Instagram: @grease.footlights
TikTok: @grease.footlights
Linktree: @grease.footlights
*affiliate link.
The cast of EU Footlights’ ‘Grease’ performing Beauty School Dropout. Pic: Footlights
ENDS
